Vítor Pinto lays into Circati: Tomás Araújo is miles ahead | OneFootball

Alessandro Circati’s arrival at Benfica is already sparking discussion about the role the Australian international could take on in Marco Silva’s squad. Journalists Vítor Pinto and Pedro Sousa analyzed the condition in which the defender arrives at Luz, with the former believing that the new signing starts behind Tomás Araújo in the center-back pecking order.

“Tomás Araújo is several steps above Circati, but I have expectations because Circati was advised by Buffon. So he tried to imitate, in terms of developing his characteristics, the great Italian center-backs. It’s true that Buffon advised top-class center-backs such as Bonucci, Barzagli and Chiellini. We will have to see how he has internalized these concepts. But let’s keep this in mind: Tomás Araújo is a starter for Benfica and for the Portuguese national team,” Vítor Pinto began by explaining.

The journalist also highlighted Circati’s recent path and the serious injury the defender suffered, considering that the Australian will still have to show that he is ready to claim a place in Benfica’s starting eleven.

“Circati comes from the team that finished 12th in Italy and from the Australian national team. So, to me, he is clearly behind the two starters. He suffered an ACL tear, but he says it helped him, as he gained muscle mass during recovery. I believe that, in part, the muscular strengthening around the joints, in order to protect the knee, makes him feel more confident at this stage,” he continued.

Even so, Vítor Pinto acknowledges the quality of Benfica’s new signing and believes the center-back has the attributes to reach the highest level: “Now, in terms of characteristics, he seems ready for the highest level to me, but I still put Tomás Araújo one step, or several, ahead,” he concluded.

Pedro Sousa, meanwhile, raised a different issue regarding Benfica’s defensive hierarchy, pointing to Clément Lenglet. “It’s very curious that Lenglet is never questioned. Tomás Araújo is always put ahead. We’ll see…,” the journalist countered.

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