Benfica set to open training camp next week

The doors are set to open for preparation for the upcoming season as Benfica gets ready to welcome players to training camp on July 3rd. After a disappointing campaign last season, where the club failed to capture any major silverware other then the season opening Super Cup. The team is eager to turn things around and regain their winning form in 2024-25.

Benfica go into the pre-season with some holes to plug as the departure of Rafa Silva and potentially Angel di Maria takes away two of last season's regular starters, and Benfica will also need to rebuild their left back and striker positions which caused major issues last year before the start of the new season in August.

Benfica are set to announce the acquisition of striker Vangelis Pavlidis on July 1st and are currently said to be working on acquiring a left back to battle for a spot in the starting XI with recent permanent signing Alvaro Fernandez. The club may also need to fill some other areas depending on who is sold during the summer transfer window, with both Antonio Silva and Joao Neves being eyed by some of Europe's bigger clubs.

Benfica may look internally to replace Rafa and Di Maria but may need to shore up some of the other positions, depending on this years summer sales by going outside of the club's confines. While Roger Schmidt will be determined to leave last season's disappointments behind and focus on achieving greatness, proving that he is no one hit wonder.

 

Aursnes to return to wing position for upcoming season

Benfica's Swiss army knife Fredrik Aursnes looks to have received some promising news from manager Roger Schmidt for the upcoming season after the German bench boss stated that he will look to use Aursnes in the wing position mainly again, a position that Aursnes excelled at in Benfica's championship winning season.

Aursnes was used every which way last season, from right back to left back and a more defined role will not only help the 28 year old Norwegian international but Benfica in general. Aursnes played in 55 games across all competitions last season, scoring four goals while providing twelve helpers.

Robin Gosens says yes to move to Benfica

According to reports out of Portugal, Union Berlin left back Robin Gosens has said yes to a summer transfer to join Benfica for next season. Berlin has turned down two approaches for Gosen from Bologna, as the club looks for around €10M to let go of the German international and Benfica looks set to meet their price demands to make the move possible.

Gosens will turn 30 years old next month and joined Berlin last summer from Inter Milan, but the move did not pan out, as although Gosens' scored seven goals while providing four helpers across 37 games, the Berlin side had a miserable season and barely avoided relegation after competing in the Champions League for the first time. 

Gosens is looking for a move to a more competitive club, something that he does not feel Berlin will have in 2024-25 and Benfica is looking to give Roger Schmidt an option at left back for the upcoming season, something they sorely lacked during this past campaign. 

Benfica will look to close an agreement with Berlin shortly as they continue to strengthen their squad for 2024-25 as they prepare to recapture the league title and present a stronger squad in the Champions League.