Swansea City are already facing some pressure from Benfica over Tiago Parente, just a few months into his loan spell in Wales.
The 20-year-old joined Swansea in the summer to get regular senior football. That part of the plan simply hasn’t happened yet.
Parente hasn’t played a single competitive minute under Vítor Matos. He’s been on the bench for eight of Swansea’s nine matches, so he’s clearly around the first team.
Benfica now want that to turn into actual playing time.
Benfica aren’t happy with situation
Portuguese outlet Glorioso 1904 report that Benfica are keeping a close eye on Parente’s situation at Swansea. According to their information, the Lisbon club are “not happy at all” with how things have gone so far.
The whole point of sending Parente to the Championship was to get him playing. Benfica wanted the youngster to develop in a demanding league before eventually returning to Portugal.
Sitting on the Swansea bench every week obviously wasn’t what they had in mind.
There’s also a little more pressure on Matos because Parente isn’t miles away from his plans. The defender has made the matchday squad almost every week, yet the Swansea manager hasn’t found any minutes for him.
Glorioso 1904 say Benfica now expect that to change.
Swansea need to make loan worthwhile
Parente arrived in Wales after making 25 appearances for Benfica B last season. He scored once and provided two assists.
Swansea presented him as an option at left-back when announcing the deal. Matos also spoke positively about his talent and the importance of bringing him into the group.
So far, the integration part seems to have happened. The football… hasn’t.
There’s still plenty of time to fix that of course. Parente’s loan runs until the end of the season and Benfica continue to see room for development in the youngster.
Their priority for this year is pretty straightforward, though. They want him playing.
After eight appearances on the Swansea bench without getting on the pitch, Benfica are starting to make that message clear.
