Plans for 2026/27: Benfica map out youth-first strategy | OneFootball

Benfica have already started planning for next season, regardless of whether or not José Mourinho stays on. With that in mind, the press reports that the Special One, in close coordination with Mário Branco and Benfica’s structure, led by Rui Costa, has already defined the strategy regarding reinforcements as well as departures from the club.

According to newspaper A Bola, the strategic plan also covers the academy youngsters who have been working with the Eagles’ first team squad over the past year. As the same source explains, players such as Anísio Cabral, Daniel Banjaqui, José Neto and Gonçalo Moreira are guaranteed a place in Benfica’s pre-season.

However, the same will not happen with Gonçalo Oliveira, João Rego and Rodrigo Rêgo. As the sports daily wrote, the three youngsters are not expected to remain at the Luz in 2026/27 and need solutions. Everything indicates that the players should be sent out on loan in order to get more playing time.

In Gonçalo Oliveira’s case, the captain of the Eagles’ reserve team, this may be the easiest dossier for Benfica to resolve, since the 19-year-old defender already has strong interest from abroad, particularly in the French league, with Lens and Strasbourg entering the picture.

In the case of Rodrigo Rêgo, one of the first academy youngsters José Mourinho placed his trust in, his future remains uncertain and could involve either a permanent transfer or a loan move.

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