Mourinho faces dilemmas: Is there room for new talents at Benfica?

José Mourinho, now at the helm of Fenerbahçe, begins his journey with a critical eye on Benfica’s squad. While he acknowledged the qualities of the players under Bruno Lage’s management, the Portuguese coach did not hesitate to point out the shortcomings of the squad, stating categorically that he would not have chosen those players had he started the season at the Luz. With January’s arrival, the dynamics have changed: the acquisition of Rafa and Sidny, along with the departure of Rafael Obrador, has brought new hope. However, the question lingering in the air is: is there room for everyone in Benfica’s starting eleven?

The current context of the club is fascinating. With the adaptations made, Mourinho now faces a new dilemma: how to allocate the pieces of his chessboard in a formation already filled with talent? The goalkeeping position, for example, is one where the situation is clear. Trubin has shown remarkable performance, perhaps the best since his arrival at the club, and the absence of Samuel Soares, who is injured, only reinforces this certainty.

In defense, Mourinho finds a calm scenario. The right side is dominated by Dedic, who now has Banjaqui as a promising alternative. In central defense, Otamendi remains indisputable, while Tomás Araújo and António Silva alternate in their roles, with Araújo particularly prepared for major challenges, such as the clash with Real Madrid. The left flank has been functioning excellently with Samuel Dahl, who has already received praise from Mourinho, and the inclusion of José Neto, a U-17 World Champion, who stood out following Obrador’s departure to Torino.

But it is in midfield that the complexity intensifies. Mourinho has finally found an efficient combination with Aursnes and Barreiro, playing in the positions for which they were signed, but this solution emerged when Barrenechea and Ríos were unavailable. With the Argentine’s return and the Colombian ready to be called up for the World Cup, the coach will have to juggle, especially with the schedule already tight: only 14 league matches and two Champions League play-off games are ahead.

The wings represent a true battleground. What were once problematic corridors, with the absence of Lukebakio on the right and uncertainties on the left, are now brimming with options. Prestianni shines on the right, remaining among the best at Benfica, while Lukebakio, who cost the exorbitant sum of 20 million euros, is about to reclaim his spot. On the left, the situation is equally complex, with Rafa and Schjelderup fiercely competing for a starting position. The Norwegian, after a stellar performance against Real Madrid, decided to stay, but Rafa did not return to Luz to be a mere spectator. Sidny and Bruma also offer valuable alternatives, especially after the latter’s recovery from injury.

In attack, Pavlidis and Sudakov form an explosive duo, but Mourinho’s flexibility allows him to explore different combinations, including the presence of Rafa. Thus, the coach will have an abundance of talent at his disposal, but also a considerable challenge: managing egos and expectations in a squad filled with stars. The lingering question is whether he will be able to shape this multiplicity into a true winning collective. Mourinho’s life in Lisbon promises to be full of excitement and challenges as he attempts to align the pieces of the Benfica puzzle.