Benfica, beware! After hard times, Sudakov makes drastic call | OneFootball

does not intend to leave Benfica in the next transfer window, despite a season below expectations in service of the Eagles. The attacking midfielder, signed from Shakhtar Donetsk at the start of the season, wants to continue wearing the Eagle on his chest and is focused on establishing himself in 2026/27, after a first year marked by adaptation difficulties.

According to the newspaper A BOLA, the Ukraine international believes he still has room to show all his quality at the Club of Light, regardless of whether José Mourinho remains in charge or not. Sudakov’s priority is to have a strong pre-season and convince the Benfica hierarchy that he can play an important role in the team’s future.

The number 10 arrived at Benfica surrounded by huge expectations, in a deal that could reach 38 million euros through bonuses, making him one of the biggest investments in the Club’s history. However, the midfielder’s performances fell short of expectations, largely due to the natural difficulties of his first experience outside Ukraine and the competitive demands of Portuguese football.

In addition to the sporting adaptation, Sudakov also faced a difficult emotional context throughout the season. The war in his country and the accumulated physical strain ended up affecting the player’s performances, and during the second half of the season he even admitted signs of emotional and physical fatigue.

Given that scenario, the coaching staff led by José Mourinho, together with the Benfica hierarchy, drew up a specific plan to help the Ukraine international recover his best level. Even so, the midfielder ended the season far from the starting lineup, going six consecutive matches without coming off the bench.

Despite that, and although Benfica are willing to listen to offers in the summer due to the high investment made, the truth is that the player does not want to leave the Luz at this stage of his career. Ukraine’s absence from the 2026 World Cup also makes an immediate increase in market value more difficult, which is why Sudakov sees next season as decisive for relaunching his career in European football.

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