Some doubt Chaloupek is good enough for Benfica: could be good, but… | OneFootball

Jhon Mercado, an Ecuadorian forward for Sparta Prague, who has also played for Vilafranquense and AVS SAD, has already come up against Stepán Chaloupek, a 23-year-old centre-back for Slavia Prague, a player Benfica have on their radar as a possible reinforcement for the heart of the defence. Mercado highlighted the Czech player’s qualities but argued that the 1.88m footballer could face adaptation issues at a bigger club.

“He’s a good player, I played against him twice, he’s quick, a good player and he scores goals, he could be good for Benfica. He’s a good player, but Benfica are a big club, adaptation is always difficult, I don’t know…”, he said in an interview with Antena 1.

According to iSport, the Eagles want to sign the 23-year-old right-footed centre-back. With English sides Hull City and Ipswich Town, as well as Germany’s Hamburg, interested, the SAD led by Rui Costa is said to be preparing a €12 million bid.

A key figure in winning the Czech league title, with eight goals and two assists in 28 league matches, Chaloupek secured a place in the Czech Republic squad for the World Cup. He played one match, against South Korea, which the Czechs lost 2-1.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.