No membership has earned extra within the final ten years by promoting gamers as a lot as SL Benfica. The Portuguese membership has earned over £900 million, which reveals their calibre in creating and unearthing younger abilities. Axel Witsel, Jan Oblak, Renato Sanches, David Luiz, Ederson, and Angel de Maria are simply a number of the high gems made by the membership.
Even in the summertime switch window, the membership bought Darwin Nunez for a deal value as much as €100 million. And as anticipated, the membership is greater than prepared for the longer term switch window with centre-back Antonio Silva. Supervisor Roger Schmidt thrust the Portuguese into the centre of the defence after Jan Vertonghen departed the membership.
Whereas it could have been a frightening problem for any participant making their debut season, Antonio Silva has been totally different. The 18-year-old has seamlessly slotted into the backline. The inclusion of Silva is why SL Benfica has the perfect defensive report within the league, conceding simply 5 objectives in 10 matches. Aongwith Nicolas Otamendi and the spectacular Edson Alvarez they’ve made Benfica’s defence water tight.
Silva’s rise reveals the effectivity of the SL Benfica system that discovers new gems that so typically escape the eyes of the massive golf equipment.
So, who’s Antonio Silva, and the way good is he?
Taking part in profession up to now
Antonio Silva was born in Viseu in central Portugal and began his footballing profession at 9, becoming a member of the native Penalva do Castelo. He then joined Repesenses in 2012, spending three years on the membership. Throughout this time, the centre-back would additionally come on the radar of a number of high Portuguese golf equipment. He even had a number of coaching periods with Sporting CP.
In the end, he selected to remain in his hometown, becoming a member of native membership Viseu United. Nevertheless, after one yr, it was positive he was too gifted for the membership. Antonio Silva would then transfer 180 miles to Lisbon, becoming a member of SL Benfica. And after scuffling with homesickness initially, Silva turned one of many high gamers in Benfica’s youth system.
Expertise of the day:
Antonio Silva (Benfica)
The 18yo CB has caught the attention of European giants in his breakout season for Benfica, that includes 13 instances & serving to Benfica concede 5 objectives in 11 Liga Portugal video games (the perfect report in Europe high 7 leagues) this season. pic.twitter.com/UEr4Q5Gu3T
— Profession mode (@heli_chito) October 30, 2022
On the age of 17, he was promoted to the under-23s. He would play 14 matches within the Liga Revelacao, scoring one aim. The next season he would rating three objectives and supply one help in 11 video games. Silva would additionally characteristic within the UEFA Youth League ten instances, serving to them win the match.
Along with his nice run of kind, he started knocking on the primary workforce’s doorways. And when Jan Vertonghen left the membership, it created a possibility for the Portuguese. {The teenager} has not disenchanted in taking his likelihood with each palms.
Antonio Silva stats
The 2022-23 is the primary season the place Silva has featured often, and his stats are spectacular. One of many causes {the teenager} was promoted to the primary squad was his ball-playing abilities. And he has the stats to again it up. Based on FotMob, Silva performs 6.8 correct lengthy balls per 90 minutes, the perfect determine by a defender.
His passing has additionally been impeccable. Fbref stats present that Silva completes 92 per cent of his passes which places him among the many high one percentile of defenders. What makes this extra spectacular is that Silva ranks among the many high one percentile of defenders in brief, medium and lengthy passes.
Silva just isn’t content material with passing the ball from the again and likes getting concerned up the pitch. Fbref stats present he additionally makes 5.52 passes per 90 minutes into the penalty space, placing him within the high 5 percentile of defenders.
Nevertheless, ball taking part in is one among many abilities he possesses. Silva may also be the no-nonsense defender when the scenario comes. He averages 2.26 tackles, profitable 1.38, placing him within the high 5 percentile of defenders. Dribblers typically have issues dealing with Silva, who’s the rock of Benfica’s defence. He contests 2.38 dribbles per 90 minutes, among the many high one percentile. His tackling numbers towards dribblers are additionally related at 1.38 (high one percentile of defenders).
Antonio Silva scout report
SL Benfica have constantly developed younger abilities which can be technically astute, and Antonio Silva is simply that. He’s an avid reader of the sport and positions himself in response to the sport. Nevertheless, he will need to have these abilities. The reason being that Silva just isn’t the quickest participant on the pitch.
Silva is usually the final man within the backline throughout the membership’s matches. Nevertheless, he’s typically the person who makes the offside lure run. This combination of talent and intelligence helps Silva negate his weak point and play to his strengths.
Beneath Roger Schmidt Benfica have grow to be top-of-the-line possession groups in Europe, averaging 67.9% (36:23 minutes per/g) in Portugal within the course of.
Particularly the next 4 have me: Enzo Fernández; Gonçalo Ramos; Antonio Silva; and Florentino Luis.
A enjoyable workforce! pic.twitter.com/sGqD9GVp4s
— UtdArena (@UtdArena) September 20, 2022
Among the finest methods he tries to account for the shortage of velocity is by forcing his rival in the direction of the road. Because of this the one manner for a participant to get previous him is to chop inside, which minimises the probabilities of Silva’s failure.
Nevertheless, fashionable soccer is such that one can’t disguise weaknesses on a regular basis. This was particularly evident in Benfica’s matches towards Juventus and Paris Saint Germain. The opposition typically managed to tug him out of his place, which often leaves the defence uncovered.
Silva can be superior aerially on each ends of the pitch, as evident by his well-taken aim towards Juventus.
What makes him particular
The Portuguese league has persistently been credited with giving gifted children an opportunity. Nevertheless, an 18-year-old being slotted straight into the centre of the defence in one of many largest golf equipment is sort of an achievement, even by the league’s requirements.
This reveals how particular of a expertise he’s. At simply 18 years, Silva just isn’t solely dealing with Portugal’s but in addition Europe’s greatest and thriving. Think about what a beast he could be with two years of expertise on the high. Silva additionally performs alongside Nicolas Otamendi, which can carry him invaluable expertise.
🎂 Feliz 19º aniversário, António Silva! 🇵🇹
🔴🦅 O primeiro golo nunca se esquece, certo? 😉#UCL | @SLBenfica | @antonio_66s pic.twitter.com/vvv13XHOxN
— UEFA.com em português (@UEFAcom_pt) October 31, 2022
And keep in mind, he has solely performed 16 matches this season and is already making waves. The extra he performs, the extra his abilities might be sharpened, the less errors he’ll make, and the higher participant he’ll grow to be, ultimately.
Antonio Silva potential
Based on a number of media stories, Manchester United, Liverpool and Paris Saint Germain (PSG) are all chasing the teenager. It is a testomony to the very fact of how gifted he’s. Being known as as much as the primary SL Benfica workforce is an achievement. Nevertheless, Antonio Silva has gone past establishing himself as an integral a part of the workforce.
🚨 Manchester United and Liverpool are all in favour of signing Benfica 🇵🇹 defender Antonio Silva, in response to Portuguese outlet O Jogo.#MUFC 🏴 and #LFC 🏴 should set off the £87m launch clause within the 18-year-old’s contract with the intention to signal the defender, says the stories. pic.twitter.com/1EZPQRmvlU
— Ontheminute.com (@ontheminute) October 24, 2022
It’s nonetheless early to inform whether or not Benfica will wish to half with such a teenager. Nevertheless, his launch clause is reported to be € 100 million, which can deter many suitors. So whereas the sky’s the restrict for the younger expertise, it’s unlikely he’ll depart the Portuguese membership quickly.
Nevertheless, when his time does come, he might be greater than able to play for any high membership, which now appears to be his future.
