Centre-back shortage could hand Joshua Wynder Benfica chance under Marco Silva | OneFootball

A shortage of centre-backs at the start of pre-season could hand Joshua Wynder a chance to impress new Benfica coach Marco Silva. With Tomás Araújo at the World Cup and Gonçalo Oliveira sold, only António Silva is available from the senior group in central defence as work begins at Benfica Campus.

Record reports that the board led by Rui Costa are working to sign two centre-backs, one younger and one more experienced, to address depth and the exit of Nicolás Otamendi to River Plate.

Until additions arrive, Wynder is under assessment as an internal option and will try to use the situation to persuade Silva he can feature in the first-team plans. He had been close to a move.

The 21-year-old made his debut in 2024/25 against Tirsense in the first leg of the Portuguese Cup semi-finals, an opportunity granted by Bruno Lage. That remains his only senior outing.

Last season, central defence was largely shared by Otamendi, António Silva and Tomás Araújo. When options tightened, José Mourinho used Enzo Barrenechea at centre-back in a league match against Vitória SC at the Luz.

As pre-season opens, Wynder now seeks to turn the uncertainty into a place in the squad as a viable alternative.

Source: Glorioso 1904