In Karim Benzema’s last season at Real Madrid, before he went for the money in the desert in Saudi Arabia, the French striker became the winner of the Ballon d’Or. – Now just over two years later, Jose Mourinho opens up a door back to Europe.
Jose Mourinho is back where it all started, back home in Portugal and as manager of Benfica. Benfica have not shown old greatness this season, Jose Mourinho has been brought in knowing that it will come at a cost. The first sign of that is that “The Special One”, a nickname he earned after delivering the Champions League title to Benfica’s biggest rival Porto, is now going after high-value players.
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Jose Mourinho is rumoured to be interested in one of his best former players and one who is not happy on the bench at Real Madrid.
Jose Mourinho is the new manager of Benfica after succeeding Bruno Lage
The former Wolves manager was sacked after his team lost to Qarabag in their first Champions League game of the season. Mourinho’s return to Portuguese football comes after he was sacked as manager of Fenerbahce following their failure to qualify for the league phase of Europe’s elite competition.
Journalist Ekrem Konur has claimed that Mourinho wants to bring Al Ittihad striker Karim Benzema to Portugal when the transfer window reopens.
The 37-year-old may well be in the twilight of his career, but he has not lost his finishing ability. He scored a hat-trick in his only appearance in the Saudi Pro League so far this season in a 5–2 win over Al Akhdoud.
Konur believes that Mourinho and Benfica can sign the experienced striker for a sum in the region of 5 million to 7 million euros.
However, that’s not all.
Mourinho’s new team is also reportedly keen on signing French defender Ferland Mendy from Los Blancos.
Mendy joined Madrid from French giants Lyon in 2019 but has fallen out of favour and is arguably Real’s third choice in the position behind summer signings Alvaro Carreras and Fran Garcia.
The left-back made 32 appearances for Madrid last season and provided two assists as the Spanish giants lost the La Liga title to bitter rivals Barcelona.
Benfica are currently in second place in the Portuguese league, five points behind leaders Porto with one game less played after five league rounds.
Mourinho was linked with a move to the Premier League before taking the Benfica job, with West Ham reportedly among the clubs interested.
Mourinho famously guided Porto to a Champions League title before going on to coach European giants such as Chelsea, Manchester United, Inter Milan and Real Madrid.
If reports in the press are to be believed, The Special One could turn to one of its former stars in a sensational double deal as he tries to get Benfica’s season back on track.
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