S.L. Benfica [2008/2009]

[Tiago_10]

Sorry, but that's enough for me...

Stop blaming Porto for everything, it's absolutely unbelievable how we spent about 6 f*cking weeks negotiating with a team on the second division... I mean, it's absolutely pathetic. And even more pathetic, how can Rui Costa and Quique make public statements declaring their interest on Aimar when the deal is no near finished, Rui Costa even said he was one of the best, this is pure incompetence, I mean, I'm still speechless on how f*cking dumb our direction is...

Same happened with Rodríguez, 5 months negotiating, when we should get him before that, and after that, there's Rui Costa again declaring to the press his interest on renewing his contract, yet, we failed to do in 5 months what Porto did in 5 minutes.

Erikson was another brilliant act, and to convince Quique Flores we took ages...

Our transfers so far are... well... they are ALL of unproven value, at least at an high level:

Aissa(or whatever), Urreta, Yebda and Balboa are unknown...

Amorim was nothing more than a good player in Belenenses, and Martins NEVER convinced me, neither in Sporting nor on Huelva.

We lost our two most influential players of last season, Rui and Rodríguez, players that could make the difference, and now we don't have anyone like them, we could've Aimar, but we missed, again!

There's not one more million to offer to Saragoza, but there's 4 for Balboa, oh god...

We need a right back, an offensive midfielder, two wingers for both sides and a forward, I can see the picture, and it's no good at all. With all honesty, only Quique can save this, and it will be sooo hard, and let's see if he doesn't quit before Christmas, since he's a young coach and doesn't want to add a bad experience to his curriculum... Because I believe, if Benfica doesn't give him the players he want, he'll leave, just like Camacho did, because he was fooled like Quique is being now...
.

Can you point out in any of my posts where I "blame Porto for everything?"

The reason why you are unable to do so is because I never did. What annoys me is the fact that pdc is ridiculously going after any player we show interest in, regardless of his quality, for instance Balboa isn't good enough imo, even though I haven't seen him play, and he still was persuaded to join them. Even a freaking junior, a random player.

Now, that being cleared of course the lockeroom isn't protected as in when Veiga was at the club. And yes that must be resolved and it's important to do so, I agree.

Granted, LFV is an idiot you're right about that, I don't think you ever heard me defending that he should remain at the club, I don't defend illiterate "patos bravos" who think they know everything about any subject. And I also know of some of his obscure deals in more detail than what's public and I dispize him. However he did some things right, but sure it's time for him to leave a long time ago, everyone knows that.

The worst of many mistakes I believe was when we wouldn't pay those 5M for Miccoli.

But about Aimar I have to disagree, it's not "just another million" like you said. When people have an agreedment and all of a sudden one of the parts neglects it and starts making more demands is a total lack of respect.

Mourinho for exemple, was fired from Benfica because he told he had a propousal from Sporting (while still having a contract with us) and he said either they paid him more or he would leave, even if he was in charge only for a few months. Of course he was fired, and rightly so. At least I don't want that kind of "professionals" in the club, he didn't even had a full season and was already sending ultimatums to the board.

Rodriguez is a sellout, goes public about how he'd love to stay in the club, then says the opposite, then says again he'd love to stay then signs for Porto. What posture. He's a complete mercenary that lied in all this process, and you're still defending him? I don't want that kind of players in the club, thank you very much. I want players that at least respect the club, do you think that's asking too much?

 

[RuiCosta_10]

I wasn't talking specifically to you, but yeah, you did point out that Aimar isn't with us yet because Porto interfered on the negotiations, but whatever, that's not my point anyway.

Of course I don't know the exact conditions they are negotiating, neither you, the one million thing was just speculation, my point is that if we actually had professionals in our boards and presented them the money instead of love letters there would be no time for the other club to take a step back, neither of any other club to interfere on the deal at all.
We have to face today's football without lyricisms and stop living in Disney World. There's no such thing as love, and even if there is, money always comes first. That's the hard reality and if we want to be a competitive team we have to have that in mind.
And the same happens for the Rodriguez case... I am not defending him, I obviously condemn his attitude towards Benfica, but my point is that - once again - if we bought him back were we had the chance without any other club being involved he would be with us right now, I don't have any doubts on that, I do have some doubts though on our director's intelligence when our transfers depend on a player's good will, that comes from Uruguai, knows nothing about Portugal or about Portuguese clubs, and doesn't give a fat crap if we would feel offended with that, he wants to get as more money as he can, that's absolutely natural. Porto was champion, we ended almost with a 30 points gap, they will play CL, we will play Uefa. I wonder what would you do in a similar situation on another country that says absolutely nothing to you.

If we always had to count with player's love for the shirt, we would only have Nuno Gomes on the team, and Rui Costa would comeback.



Because of things like this and others similar we have already lost:

Tiago, Miguel, Manuel Fernandes, Karagounis, Miccoli, Simão, Rodríguez and let's see if Luisão or Katsouranis aren't going the same way.



I actually had some hope that with Rui Costa things would be different, I might be a little precipitated doing judgements without the championship even started, but with all honesty I keep seeing the same mistakes of last years, the movie is exactly the same, just with different actors. And because of that, I don't have ANY hope in this season, oh god, I wish I was wrong, let's see...

 

[Coruja]

The only good thing i see that happened to Benfica was Quique. This season reinforcements aren't bad, they're young and talented, what they need is a good coach who can give them trust.

Ruben Amorim, in Belenenses was good, of course that the level of Benfica game is more elevated but his not a bad player, and it's young, he can improve a lot.

Balboa, well, Quique knows him from the youth team of Real Madrid, so if he trust him, i think we can trust him to, because Quique isn't dumb to bring a player who can't play at Benfica level.

Yebda, 0 cost, good trainings, let's see..

Carlos Martins, i think he's good, in Sporting not that good, but his season in Huelva was great, and in the trainings he has shown some qualitys.

Maybe Balboa was to expensive, besides that i think it was ok with all the others.

Aimar, well, if it's confirmed the recent news, of course it's a great
disappointment, so many weeks for nothing..

To be a competitive team, i think that we need:

- Right Back ( Torosidis, Belleti, etc etc )
- Left winger
- Forward

I dont want to think that Benfica this new season will be at 3º our 4º. I hope that Quique " saves us " and that Rui Costa give Zaragoza what they want, 1 Million more? Give them 1 Million more, and in the next signing instead of wasting 4 Million, waste 3 Million.

 

[Capela]

Oh really? Because Benfica had an agreedment with all parts involved (this is confirmed by O Jogo, A Bola, As etc. around 7,5 - 8 M) and all of a sudden another club comes up an interfeers.

It is as if there was no agreedment, he decides to completely ignore it and starts demanding more money, which means the Zaragoza president word means ****. If you think noone can blame him in steping back with his word then that's your call, I guess.

confirmed by the newspapers ? come on... how much credidiblity do they have ?
benfica never said they had an agreement so i don't think we ever agreed on the price
but the newspaper have to sell so have to come up with numbers to entertain us

 

[Tiago_10]

I wasn't talking specifically to you, but yeah, you did point out that Aimar isn't with us yet because Porto interfered on the negotiations, but whatever, that's not my point anyway.

Of course I don't know the exact conditions they are negotiating, neither you, the one million thing was just speculation, my point is that if we actually had professionals in our boards and presented them the money instead of love letters there would be no time for the other club to take a step back, neither of any other club to interfere on the deal at all.
We have to face today's football without lyricisms and stop living in Disney World. There's no such thing as love, and even if there is, money always comes first. That's the hard reality and if we want to be a competitive team we have to have that in mind.
And the same happens for the Rodriguez case... I am not defending him, I obviously condemn his attitude towards Benfica, but my point is that - once again - if we bought him back were we had the chance without any other club being involved he would be with us right now, I don't have any doubts on that, I do have some doubts though on our director's intelligence when our transfers depend on a player's good will, that comes from Uruguai, knows nothing about Portugal or about Portuguese clubs, and doesn't give a fat crap if we would feel offended with that, he wants to get as more money as he can, that's absolutely natural. Porto was champion, we ended almost with a 30 points gap, they will play CL, we will play Uefa. I wonder what would you do in a similar situation on another country that says absolutely nothing to you.

If we always had to count with player's love for the shirt, we would only have Nuno Gomes on the team, and Rui Costa would comeback.



Because of things like this and others similar we have already lost:

Tiago, Miguel, Manuel Fernandes, Karagounis, Miccoli, Simão, Rodríguez and let's see if Luisão or Katsouranis aren't going the same way.



I actually had some hope that with Rui Costa things would be different, I might be a little precipitated doing judgements without the championship even started, but with all honesty I keep seeing the same mistakes of last years, the movie is exactly the same, just with different actors. And because of that, I don't have ANY hope in this season, oh god, I wish I was wrong, let's see...

Again, I agree with you generally but I wasn't talking about love or anything like that, they're professional players. What I mean is to have a little respect for the club they're representing, that is all.

Ex.: Luis Figo when asked about the interest of Real Madrid - I will not leave Barça, etc. Next morning, he's all happy signing for Real. Now, if he did or thought that he might have wanted to leave the club why on earth did he say he's staying? He could've just said he was considering Real's offer or that he wouldn't say anything about it or something.
I hate C. Ronaldo's behaviour in all his transfer saga, but at least I never heard from him (not from the media) after Real's interest was public that he would love to stay in United, in fact he always stated he'd like to leave, to try a different championship, that all BS, but at least he didn't lie, I give him that.



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@ Capela:

You have to admit O Jogo is a realiable newspaper, even if they are close (and somewhat bias) to Fc Porto.

Also, Quique said Aimar was very close to sign. I believe he wouldn't say that if he didn't have some sort of assurance.

But I understand what went on, it ain't that hard to figure out. Someone came up with a higher offer for him, and so the Zaragoza director in order to get more for him, just said if Benfica still wants him they have to offer more because we have some other club or clubs offering more. While that maybe legit in some way, I don't think it is very ethical. (if of course, they had a pre-deal with us)

 

[RuiCosta_10]

Again, I agree with you generally but I wasn't talking about love or anything like that, they're professional players. What I mean is to have a little respect for the club they're representing, that is all.

Ex.: Luis Figo when asked about the interest of Real Madrid - I will not leave Barça, etc. Next morning, he's all happy signing for Real. Now, if he did or thought that he might have wanted to leave the club why on earth did he say he's staying? He could've just said he was considering Real's offer or that he wouldn't say anything about it or something.
I hate C. Ronaldo's behaviour in all his transfer saga, but at least I never heard from him (not from the media) after Real's interest was public that he would love to stay in United, in fact he always stated he'd like to leave, to try a different championship, that all BS, but at least he didn't lie, I give him that.



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@ Capela:

You have to admit O Jogo is a realiable newspaper, even if they are close (and somewhat bias) to Fc Porto.

Also, Quique said Aimar was very close to sign. I believe he wouldn't say that if he didn't have some sort of assurance.

But I understand what went on, it ain't that hard to figure out. Someone came up with a higher offer for him, and so the Zaragoza director in order to get more for him, just said if Benfica still wants him they have to offer more because we have some other club or clubs offering more. While that maybe legit in some way, I don't think it is very ethical. (if of course, they had a pre-deal with us)

I get your point also, and I despise these kind of negotiations, but hey, it's what we have and we just have to deal with it and make sure it won't happen in the future.

I'm sure that if we had a real deal with Saragoça they couldn't do nothing but give us the player, now, did we really have a deal? Or was it a words deal? You know words don't count much, specially when you have money involved, and our board should know it even better than us...

 

[Coruja]

João Coimbra, Paulo Jorge and Manú to Maritimo.

 

[RuiCosta_10]

... for free ...

 

[RuiCosta_10]

Well, looks like Aimar is official now!

Great, great signing. The best signing of the past years, along with Simão, fabulous player.

Welcome Pablo!

 

[Coruja]

6,5 Millions. I hope that he can surpass his "bad" seasons and help us to win the title.

Welcome

 

[portugal2167]

I hope he's worth the trouble he put benfica through

 

[Tiago_10]

Finally that saga comes to an end. Glad that we got him.

I hope he's worth the trouble he put benfica through

Precisely. And here's hoping he'll stay injury free.

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About the three players that signed with Maritimo, the only one who I think has some potential is João Coimbra. However, letting them go for nothing in return is hard to understand..

 

[RuiCosta_10]

I believe Aimar will be our most influential player, just like Simão was, or even better. I'm a little biased because I always liked him, but I believe that in Portugal he will "partir a loiça toda"

Our probable start eleven right now:

------------------------- Quim -------------------------

-- Maxi --------- Luisão ------- D. Luiz ----------- Léo --

-- Balboa ------- Petit ------- Martins -------- Di María --

------------------------- Aimar -------------------------

----------------------- Cardozo -------------------------

In my opinion this still looks a bit bad, I don't know what guarantees can players like Amorim and Yebda give, but in the wings we are pretty weak. I'm already putting Di María considering we don't have no one more but I rather see him in the middle. Also, we should get an alternative for Aimar, maybe a forward that could substitute him and we could play with two strikers, or substitute Cardozo.

So, I think we definitely need two more wingers, and a forward. A right back wouldn't be bad too...

 

[Coruja]

For winger, i like Wilhelmsson, since 2007, his career is based on loans, he's good and maybe cheap.

In the right back, Torosidis would be great, but maybe to expensive, so Seitaridis is a good option.

 

[Coruja]

The official website of Real Zaragoza confirmed the transference of Aimar:

http://www.realzaragoza.com/r2z/paginas/noticias.php?id=2804

 

[Tiago_10]

Don't understand why we don't make a move for Wilhelmsson to be honest, he looks affordable and I don't think Balboa is better..

Aimar could also play as a false winger, going to the middle a bit like Zidane played for Real Madrid and if so we could play with Nuno Gomes - Cardozo upfront (or others).

 

[Coruja]

Looks like Coentrão is going to Zaragoza instead of Feyenoord.

 

[Tiago_10]

Yes, he'll be loaned with a buyout option at the end of the season. I think he deserved a chance with us this season but he's probably going to return.

And we actually paid 6,5 M for Aimar. Nicely done, Rei Costa.

 

[Coruja]

Official presentation of Pablo Aimar:

​

 

[Coruja]

Ivan Santos signed with Benfica for 3 seasons, the player cancelled his contract with Boavista F.C, and now joins to us. His future in this season is probably the loan to another club to gain more rhythm.​