Don’t scoff at Bernardo, he might not deemed good enough for Benfica, but neither was Jota…
SL Benfica v CD Santa Clara – Liga Portugal Bwin Paulo Bernardo midfielder of SL Benfica in action during the Liga Portugal Bwin match between SL Benfica and CD Santa Clara at Estadio da Luz on 12th February, 2022 in Lisbon, Photo Valter Gouveia
Celtic is apparently locked in negotiations with Benfica for a loan move with an option to buy regarding midfielder Paulo Bernardo.
Some of our more pessimistic supporters have been scoffing at the thought of us signing Paulo. He’s not first team ready, he’s can’t get a game for Benfica, who is he? That’s some of the noises coming from their vicinity.
That’s fair enough. Like most of you I’ve not heard of Paulo, but then again I’d never heard of Joao Pedro Neves Filipe aka Jota. He was also seen surplus to requirements at Benfica and he turned out to be not to bad an acquisition eh?
Joao Neves Filipe Jota of Celtic celebrates scoring the second goal during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and theRangers at on September 03, 2022.(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Paulo was highly regarded at one point to be giving a long term contract with a ludicrous buy out clause, so he must be more than a decent footballer. He’s a central midfielder who can play the holding or attacking role. Apparently he’s the complete midfielder who’s just fallen out of favour with his manager.
That’s nothing to scoff at. Benfica is a big club and sometimes players don’t fit at certain clubs. Like Jota, who left Benfica for Celtic in search of first team football.
The outcome? Five trophies in two seasons and he became the clubs record outgoing transfer. Not bad for a player deemed not good enough for Benfica. Who says Paulo, if he signs, can’t do the same?
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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