António Silva 'could make' Porto trip as Mourinho weighs Benfica defensive options | OneFootball

António Silva is battling to be in José Mourinho’s plans for the Clássico at Porto, with the centre-back still a doubt after suffering an injury in the warm-up before Famalicão.

A Bola reports that the number four is recovering from a thigh oedema and has shown positive signs to Benfica’s medical staff, raising the possibility he could be available for the trip to the Dragão.

Mourinho has defensive issues, notably the absence of Nicolás Otamendi. If Silva is passed fit, it is expected he would partner Tomás Araújo.

There are also voices cautioning Benfica cannot rely solely on Otamendi and António Silva, pointing to the quality emerging from Seixal. That view suggests Gonçalo Oliveira should be handed an opportunity against Porto.

This season Silva has featured in 25 games for Benfica, totalling 2,023 minutes, with 11 in the Liga Portugal Betclic, nine in the Champions League, three in the Taça de Portugal, one in the Taça da Liga and one in the Supertaça. He is valued at 30 million euros.

Source: Glorioso 1904