Central scouted in Slovakia by Liverpool and Manchester United. Following the evolution of the number 4 of Luz, the English emblems this time sought to observe the central player played by the Seleção, in a different and more adverse context.
Being confirmed as Benfica’s starter in 2022/23, a status that remains this season, has put António Silva on the radar of several important clubs in Europe. Liverpool and Manchester United are on the list and, attentive to the central defender’s evolution, they remain on top of the player, now tightening their grip on observations. The two historic English clubs sent scouts to Bratislava for Portugal’s recent clash in Slovakia, qualifying for Euro 2024, in order to obtain, as revealed by the British portal 90min, the 19-year-old player’s notes in a different context.
The idea of those responsible for Liverpool and Manchester United, who had already collected data on the defender in previous observations, was, according to the publication, “to analyze António Silva outside his comfort zone, as he usually plays for a dominant club like Benfica”. Portugal, who won 1-0 (goal by Bruno Fernandes), had more possession of the ball and made more shots, but Slovakia caused danger, with the Portuguese defense proving important in blocking the opposing attack – and António Silva highlighted became the player with the most steals in the match: seven.
In what was his fifth international appearance for Portugal, António Silva played the 90 minutes alongside Rúben Dias, in a game in which, reveals the English portal, there were also scouts from Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, Bayern and Dortmund. In addition to the Portuguese international, the powerful clubs of the Premier League, already thinking about strengthening the defensive axis for 2023/24, also sent scouts to observe Giorgio Scalvini, Atalanta’s 19-year-old central defender, in Italy’s 2-1 victory over Ukraine. Scalvini has stood out since 2021/22 at the Bergamo club and is in the process of establishing himself in his national team, like the Eagles’ starter.
Protected by a release clause of 100 million euros, and linked to the Luz club until 2027, António Silva, who has already aroused the interest of Bayern, as O JOGO revealed, is a strong bet for the Eagles for the present and the future . The player aroused greed in the summer, but Rui Costa, due to his importance in Roger Schmidt’s squad, defined that he does not want to give up the number 4 shirt. In an interview with BTV, the Benfica leader said he had received “proposals from António Silva” and also by João Neves (in the red devils’ sights), but the departure of Gonçalo Ramos allowed the rest of the squad to be retained.
Nominated for the Kopa trophy
An undisputed piece for Roger Schmidt in Benfica’s strategy, António Silva, who, as a result of his performance with an eagle on his chest, also made it to the National Team, having played in the 2022 World Cup, is part of the short list of ten nominees for the Kopa trophy (from France Football) , the Ballon d’Or for athletes over the age of 21. Number 4 has strong competition, as the nominees are Bellingham (Dortmund/Real Madrid), Gavi and Pedri (Barcelona), Musiala (Bayern), Camavinga (Real Madrid), Xavi Simons (PSV/RB Leipzig), Hojlund (Manchester United) and Elye Wahi (Montpellier/Lens). The trophy will be awarded on October 30th, in Paris.
