Quarta-Feira Quantum Leap

By: Greg | June 25th, 2008

Like I mentioned yesterday, most of the Portuguese footballing world (including myself) was so enraptured with the Euro that league news turned into middle of the rag afterthoughts for the most part. For now, here’s wuzzup wit da “Big Tree” since we’ve last hugged via fiber optic arms…

F.C. Porto – Continue to raid Argentina and decided to backdoor Benfica on Cristian Rodríguez for a seven million Euro transfer. Benfica’s been dragging Porto and Portuguese football through the proverbial mud in Europe by sending every lawyer possible to argue their Champions League case to no avail, so Porto must enjoy the fact that they got some sort of small revenge here (aside from the fact that Benfica’s attempts were futile).

Ricky “Play Me Phil, I’m Better Than Simão” Quaresma is being feverishly linked with a move away from the Dragão. The most commonly mentioned suitors are Inter (who deny this connection over and over again) but Juventus, Chelsea, and Liverpool are apparently still in the running for the Cigano’s services.

Paulo Assunção used the Webster Law (long story short: player old enough and contracted long enough can buy out remaining part of agreement to become free) to scoot out early and is still looking for suitors with Atletico Madrid apparently leading the chase.

Sporting — Signed away Portuguese international striker Helder Postiga from Porto for 3.5 million Euros to add depth to an already decent strike force. Signed midfielder Izmailov to a long term deal as well as left back Grimi and Portuguese international defender (this past Euro excepted) Marco Caneira.

International midfielders Miguel Veloso and captain João Moutinho are constantly being linked with moves abroad. Veloso has admitted a liking for Milan while Moutinho is allegedly getting the standard sack rubbing from almost every big club in Europe. At least one of them will be gone by the time the season actually starts if not both. Emerging Sporting Midfielder = European Orgy.

Benfica – Condemned to the UEFA Cup this year, Benfica are trying to make some serious moves in the transfer and PR departments.

They opened the transfer season by signing midfielder Rui Costa up as their Football Director and he brought in seasoned boss Quique Flores. Aside from losing out on Cristian Rodríguez, they’ve brought in a number of intriguing signings. International new guy Jorge Ribeiro has been brought in as a defensive reinforcement. Carlos Martins was also signed as a replacement for Cristian Rodríguez and, in my opinion, probably a better player for the future.

Benfica are also, as of this writing, apparently moments away from announcing the five million Euro purchase of Javier Balboa, a winger from Real Madrid. Given the aggressive improvements and presence of Rui Costa, I’m happy with the fact that Benfica have not taken their UEFA Cup assignment laying down and are looking to restore the luster of years past.

We’ll hit on some of the smaller clubs and what to expect from the two new guys in town in the coming days. Until then… You better work.