Why Antonio Silva would be perfect for dire Man Utd

SL Benfica have been one of the most shrewd operators in the market over the last decade. Their incredible scouting network works in tandem with their top class youth academy to develop players who can regularly break into the first team. 

Playing in a less competitive league also allows the Liga Portugal giants to give these young players patience and opportunities to make their mark, before selling them on for huge fees. The next in line to join the likes of Ederson, Darwin Nunez, João Félix and Ruben Dias in doing so looks to be centre-back Antonio Silva. 

Silva’s emergence is yet another story of a young player being in the right place at the right time. When Rodger Schmidt took over as manager at the start of the 2022/23 season, everyone at the club got a fresh start. 

Despite having made only two B team appearances in the previous season, Silva impressed during pre-season and was presented with an unlikely opportunity due to an injury crisis within the squad. 

The 19-year old never looked back, and went on to establish himself a vital part of a Benfica team with the best defensive record in the league. He also started all 10 Champions League games, where he held his own against the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi. 

Interest from across Europe has naturally followed. 

Antonio Silva Transfer Value (xTV) - how much is he worth? 

According to FootballTransfer’s player valuation model, Silva has a current Expected Transfer Value (xTV) of €41.8m. 

His xTV was less than €10m at the start of 2023, but has been on a rapid rise after his excellent performances for As Águias in his debut campaign, which also followed a call-up to the Portuguese national team. 

Benfica are exceptional at recognising the value of the talent within their ranks and tied down their star defender to a 5-year contract with a reported  €100m release clause. 

Manchester United have been regularly scouting the defensive sensation, and will need to break the bank to secure his signature. 

Antonio Silva strengths and weaknesses - how can he fit in at United? 

Silva is a typical modern day ball playing central defender, making him a great fit for Erik ten Hag. Although the Portugal international predominantly lines up on the right, he has the technical ability and maturity to also play on the left side if needed.  

This suits United, who have serious issues with depth at centre-back. Injuries and a lack of form are currently forcing Ten hag to line up with Victor Lindelof and an injury prone Raphael Varane. Silva can slot into the squad straight away and partner Lisandro Martinez as the first choice pairing going into the future. 

One of Silva’s greatest strengths is his understanding of space and reading of the game. He manages to get himself in the right position to stop dangerous attacks from developing. His more conservative approach also makes him a great partner for the more aggressive Martinez. 

United are also not vertically compact enough this season, which is a consequence of not holding a high enough line. Silva does not have great recovery pace, but his ability to anticipate and sense danger is highlighted by the four tackles, 2.5 blocks and two dribblers he tackles per 90. This will allow the club to line up much higher. 

The Red Devils have also struggled at their build-up play. Silva is attempting 61.3 passes per 90 this season, at an incredible pass completion rate of 94.3%. More interestingly, a solid 5.25 of those are into the final third, and can help break the opposition lines and create openings for his team. 

The right-footed defender is also very comfortable carrying the ball through open space and creating overloads from defence. His 0.90 Progressive Carries per 90 rank him amongst the best centre-backs in the league. 

Last thing to note is his aerial ability. An aerial win rate of 61.3% is not outstanding, but four of the five goals he scored last season were with his head, making him a real threat from set-pieces.  

According to WhoScored, Silva has no major weaknesses - a rare feat for someone so young. But there are a few areas he must improve on to establish himself on the highest level.  

A step up to the Premier League will be a big challenge for him but he certainly seems to have a solid foundation to become a success in the league. 

This article was provided by FootballTransfers