Nemanja Matic wants Joao Neves to “stay at Benfica for a few more years” because he thinks “it’s too early” for the player to leave the team where he grew up.
Neves, who is 19, made his debut with Benfica’s first team last season and has since become a regular in Roger Schmidt’s starting lineup, playing 49 times across all categories this season.
Neves’s great play is said to have caught the attention of some of Europe’s best teams. Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Manchester United are all said to be very interested in the young player.
But Neves’s deal in Lisbon has a huge £105 million release option that doesn’t expire until 2028. Benfica is eager to keep the Portugal international after the summer.
Neves, for his part, has tried to avoid talking about his future and instead focus on the job at hand at Benfica. The Portuguese winners are seven points behind league leaders Sporting in the table.
He recently told reporters that he would do his best in every practice and game, and that he thought that was one of his best traits. This was in response to rumours that he might leave.
“My mind is on Benfica and our next game even more so.” It seems like I’ll give it my all in every game and practice.
Matic, a defender for Lyon who used to play for Benfica and United, thinks that Neves would hurt his growth if he left Portugal for a big club in Europe in the summer transfer market.
The Serbian told the Portuguese news site O Jogo that Benfica was a “big club” and told the young player to stay put for now.
Matic said, “I believe it is too early for him to leave.”
“I would stay at Benfica for a few more years to play in the Champions League and get better,” he said.
“He doesn’t need to hurry because I’m sure his time will come.”
“Joao is now at a big club.” He will do very well at Benfica, I’m sure.
“I think it’s too early to leave, but it’s always his choice in the end,” she said.
Matic and Bruno Fernandes clearly have different ideas about Neves. Recently, United captain Fernandes said that Neves is ready to make the “big jump” to a top team.
Last month, Fernandes said, “I don’t know if the United rumours are true, but I know he is ready for that big jump.”
“He plays great, and he’s on the national team.” That’s also the reason why big teams want him.
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