This week, the Portuguese media has been having many reasons to speak about the future of Benfica defender Antonio Silva.
First, CIES published a list of the most promising young players on the planet, and he was considered the centre-back with most potential. Then, reports from the English media soon claimed that the 19-year-old is a target for Liverpool this summer.
As SIC Notícias’ show Jogo Aberto (via Notícias Ao Minuto) was discussing Silva’s future today, former defender Daniel Carriço came up with interesting claims on the player. Not only praising his abilities, but also speaking about the Reds’ will to sign him.
“There are few words to praise Antonio Silva more. He’s a young man who doesn’t look like a young man. He plays with the maturity of a senior and a centre-back with several years of experience. He has a very strong personality. He demonstrates this on the pitch,” said Carriço.
“He’s a leader. Together with Otamendi, he has made a very strong duo. He shows that he’s prepared for other flights. It’s normal for a young central defender to have to acquire more experience, but he has shown, also at the national team, that he is prepared.
“It’s normal to have to make mistakes to learn and evolve, but Antonio Silva plays alongside Otamendi, who has been a great support for this stability. Antonio Silva skipped stages, because in his first season he already made it to the national team. The big clubs, they’re keeping an eye on Antonio Silva, certainly. Liverpool are no exception.”
Liverpool have been linked to Silva since October 2022, with reports from the Portuguese media claiming the Reds had been sending scouts to watch the youngster in action.
The problem is that the defender is indeed showing great potential, and the CIES list only makes it more clear that many clubs will go for his signing this summer.
We all know how Benfica behave when it’s time to sell their stars, so it’s guaranteed that they’ll demand the €100m from his release clause to let him go.
