Benfica midfielder Florentino Luis could rapidly become ‘one of the best number sixes in the world’ as Premier League giants Liverpool eye up the one-time Leeds United target, agent Bruno Carvalho tells the Team of the Future.
The inspired appointment of former PSV and Bayer Leverkusen coach Roger Schmidt has had quite the effect at the Estadio da Luz, with Lisbon-born academy graduate Florentino perhaps the biggest beneficiary of Benfica’s 20-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
The 23-year-old ball-winner, who could have joined Leeds United back in 2020, is in the form of his life right now; returning from difficult loan spells at Monaco and Getafe with a point to prove and the bit between his teeth.
According to Record, Florentino’s fine form has caught the eye of a Liverpool side also tracking his Benfica team-mate Enzo Fernandez. And with Fabinho out of sorts, the addition of a younger, more energetic ball-winner would be very well received by many on Merseyside.
Could Liverpool sign Florentino Luis from Benfica?
“Florentino has been with us since he was 16 years old. It’s a process of continuity,” explains Carvalho, head of the Team of the Future agency.
“We think Florentino still has a lot of improvements (to be made). And this year will certainly be his re-affirmation at Benfica. With our work and his, he can be, after this season, one of the best number sixes in the world.
“This is our big objective.”
Florentino averages far more tackles and interceptions per game than Fabinho, per WhoScored. He also boasts a superior pass completion rate. Florentino has been in outstanding form in the Champions League too; Benfica unbeaten in a group also containing PSG and Juventus.
“Florentino is a young player who has exceptional talent. From very early on, we realised that Florentino was on the road to becoming an elite player,” former Benfica coach Joao Tralhao told Bernabeu Digital.
“He has a profile very similar to that of Casemiro. And in Europe he is, without a doubt, one of the best in his position.”
Leeds showed an interest in Florentino back in 2020. They eventually decided against a move, however. A starting spot could not be guaranteed with Kalvin Phillips one of the first names on Marcelo Bielsa’s team sheet at the time.
“Yes, we liked him,” director Victor Orta explained to Record. “But Benfica wanted to loan him out to get minutes. And in that position Kalvin Phillips plays; a player from Leeds’ academy. It was an operation from which no-one would benefit.”
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