Marco Silva calls on Benfica's new generation, nine gems ready to shine | OneFootball

he is preparing to begin work at Benfica Campus on June 25 and will immediately have the chance to take a closer look at some of the brightest prospects from Benfica’s academy. With several players absent due to the World Cup, the coach will rely on reinforcements from the B team, under-23s and under-19s.

In total, nine youngsters are expected to join the pre-season camp. Three of them already have a place in the first-team squad all but guaranteed: right-back Daniel Banjaqui, left-back José Neto and striker Anísio Cabral, all Under-17 world champions with Portugal.

The absences of Amar Dedic, Tomás Araújo, Richard Ríos, Fredrik Aursnes, Andreas Schjelderup and Dodi Lukebakio make a reshaping of the working group necessary. In central defence, Rui Silva and João Fonseca emerge as natural candidates to gain more space. In midfield, meanwhile, names like Miguel Figueiredo, Tiago Freitas and Gonçalo Moreira could be given an important opportunity.

On the wings, competition promises to be intense. Jaden Umeh, Olívio Tomé and Rodrigo Rêgo - who could leave - are among the youngsters best placed to join the first team’s training sessions and try to convince Marco Silva during the opening weeks of preparations.

The internationals involved in the World Cup will be entitled to a holiday after the competition, which will extend the window of opportunity for the youngsters to show their worth. For many of them, this could be their first major showcase in front of Benfica’s new coach and the start of a journey toward the first team.

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