Sudakov feeling the strain at Benfica amid workload, role shift and Mourinho criticism | OneFootball

Georgiy Sudakov is feeling the mid-season strain at Benfica in his first campaign outside Ukraine, with physical and emotional demands mounting.

According to Glorioso 1904, the midfielder is adapting to a heavier schedule, new on-field tasks and the expectation to justify the club’s investment. The war at home and public criticism from José Mourinho have also contributed to a difficult spell.

This winter is his first without a break. At Shakhtar Donetsk he typically had about one month of competitive rest at this stage of the season.

The emotional toll is significant. In recent months he lost his father, his family home in Kyiv was destroyed by Russian bombing, and he followed the birth of his second daughter from afar.

Mourinho has criticised his positioning, saying he has struggled to find central spaces and has often drifted left against instructions, comments made when he was asked about the Ukraine international’s role.

Sudakov, valued at 30 million euros, has made 24 appearances this season, 14 in the league, six in the Champions League, two in the Taça de Portugal and two in the Taça da Liga. Across 1,300 minutes he has scored four goals and provided six assists.

Source: Glorioso 1904