An in-depth scout report from 2015 written by Portuguese writer Tiago Estêvão
Who is Nelson Semedo?
Nélson Semedo is proof that for a player to start getting recognized as a youngster, he doesn’t have to be “stuck” in a major academy since his pre-teen years. Born in Lisbon, Nelson played for his local side Sintrense all the way upto the age of 17, when he made his senior debut for the club. The Portuguese giants Benfica brought him in afterwards, giving him all the conditions necessary for his potential and talent to be unleashed. Despite Benfica’s massive influence in his growth as a player, both physically and mentally, the fact that Semedo started his senior career in a third division side is more than worthy of a mention. It represents the quality of work done in the youth set-ups of the lower division clubs; it shows professionalism from those who, even with an underwhelming budget, strive to feed the dreams of a multitude of youngsters out there. Looking at today’s football world, some could even consider Nelson somewhat of a “late-bloomer” – taking into account that for example
Ruben Neves was starting for FC Porto last season at only 17, and Semedo is having his breakout season at 21. Either way, the youngster has been playing and has been doing so well. After a loan at Fatima and number of games in Benfica’s B side, Rui Vitória decided that the kid would be the one competing with Sílvio to fill the void that Maxi left in the squad.
Style, Strengths and Weaknesses
Most wing-backs in modern football are more offensive than anything else. Nélson is no exception, and being in a team who has been playing an offensive 4-4-2 for years is beneficial to his strengths. A great dribbler and a really solid crosser of the ball, “Nélsinho” won his place in the starting eleven – having played this season’s 9 matches so far at the time of writing for Benfica. Known to support the attack and push forward often, the soon-to-be Portuguese international, already has one assist and a goal in the league. Something interesting to note on his offensive actions are his movements since not only does he overlap the wingers as the ordinary wing back, he also tends to drift inside where he often ends up free of marking. This allows for combination plays to happen either with the winger or the forwards, generating danger for the opposition.
Defensively the youngster had a bit more trouble at the start of the season. While in the attack he can show all his inherent talent, defensively he had to be smart and deal with all the pressure he had on him. When “out of the blue” Nélson appeared in the starting line up of the Supercup match versus Sporting, everyone knew it wasn’t going to be easy for him, no matter how much he worked and prepared the days prior. With that said, the youngster was mistake prone in the first half, losing a few plays due to poor ball control and just giving quite a lot of space to Sporting’s wingers. In the second half everything changed, he looked more confident, he wasn’t as reckless defensively and on the ball, and he even made some crucial tackles that, while not differentiating the winner of the match, definitely changed its outcome.
If asked, I’m sure he’d consider that the most important match of his career because from that half time on everything started going up for the Benfica wing back.
Committed to every match, he always gives his all both mentally and physically – and has played every minute this season so far. This is another reason why he has been (and will continue to be) edging it over Sílvio for the spot in the team, in consideration of Sílvio being so injury-prone and just purely being unable of playing consistently the full 90 minutes at Semedo’s level.
Part of a really solid defence, Semedo has picked up only one yellow card so far this season which is exceptional (especially if we consider that it was against Porto) and even more if we compare it to the previous Benfica right back.
What does the future hold?
The youngster signed a new contract with his club recently and is now contracted to SL Benfica until 2020. Besides the longevity of the contract itself, there’s a 20 million release clause that keeps most clubs away from the player for now.
Just called up for the national team, I believe he can compete with Southampton’s Cédric Soares for the starting spot and they may very well be the two right backs that get called up for the Euros (with Vieirinha also competing for a spot if he’s fit).
With all of that said I can see Nelson growing continuously as a player in Benfica’s starting eleven (and maybe even in the national team’s eleven), during the next couple of years. Nélsinho seems to be a key part of Vitória’s squad and a representation of what he wants to do with it – give opportunities to youngsters who’ve been striving for them for years.
http://outsideoftheboot.com/2015/10/11/nelson-semedo-benfica-portugal-right-back/
Another interesting feature
Man United target Nelson Semedo - Five things to know about the full-back
Nelson Semedo is one of only two Benfica players who have not missed a single game this season, and his contribution has been key to the club going top of the Portuguese league, making it through to the knockout stages of the Champions League and securing a round of 16 berth in the Portuguese Cup.
An attack-minded right-back, the defender burst onto the scene by making a sensational start to his debut season for Benfica last year, only for his progress to be curtailed by a serious knee injury he suffered on his Portugal debut.
Back to full fitness, the 23-year-old has taken his game to the next level this term, and is garnering interest from a host of clubs, including Manchester United who reportedly scouted him in Benfica's Champions League match against Napoli on Tuesday.
Here are five things you should know about Benfica's man of the moment.
1. He has enjoyed a meteoric rise and has a fearless attitude
Semedo's rise to stardom has been remarkably fast. At 18-years-old he signed for Benfica from lower league club Sintrense, three years later he was making his full debut for the Portuguese champions, and just two months after that Fernando Santos had selected him as Portugal's right-back in the European Championship qualifier against Serbia.
"He is an out-of-the-ordinary lad," says Luis Loureiro, his former coach at Fatima where he played on loan. "He is very introverted off the pitch, but when he steps onto the grass he is completely transformed. With the ball at his feet he is at home, and he doesn't fear anything."
Curiously, the literal translation of his name "Sem Medo" is "Without Fear" and his fearlessness has been a feature of his career to date, taking on each step up without any noticeable issues, so much so that it is difficult to argue with the assessment of his former Benfica team-mate Victor Andrade, now playing in Germany at TSV 1860 Munich, who said: "I've always said and I continue to say that he's a superstar. If he hadn't got injured he'd have been a European champion with Portugal -- he would have been the first-choice right-back."
2. No Maxi, no problem
Semedo showed terrific potential from the moment he was surprisingly chosen as the replacement for Uruguayan stalwart Maxi Pereira. The combative Pereira had been a firm favourite among the Benfica faithful for eight years, patrolling the right side the defence with verve and determination before his sensational transfer to bitter rivals Porto in the summer of 2015.
Semedo soon made fans forget about Pereira, as a sensational start to the season saw the then 21-year-old called up to the full Portugal team by September. "Will he make people forget Maxi Pereira? Benfica ended up losing nothing," was the assessment of the legendary former Benfica right-back and captain Antonio Veloso. "You're going to hear a lot more about him." It's a verdict that is unanimous. Losing Maxi and gaining Nelson made Benfica stronger, not weaker.
3. His injury setback has been forgotten
As alluded to above, it came as a surprise when Benfica coach Rui Vitoria selected Semedo for the season-opening Super Cup match against Lisbon rivals Sporting. Benfica lost, but Semedo acquitted himself well, and the following week he scored on his Liga debut against Estoril.
The right-back was outstanding in the opening months of the season, leading to his call-up for Portugal, where he produced a typically assured display on his debut. Unfortunately for Semedo and Benfica, he fractured a bone in his right knee in the match, which led to several months on the sidelines, virtually writing off the rest of 2015-16.
Any concerns that Semedo's development may have taken a backward step have been quelled this season, with the defender showing machine-like consistency since day one. Semedo has played all but eight minutes of season -- he was substituted late on in week two -- tirelessly flying up and down the whole length of the right flank in all 20 matches.
Semedo has been attracting attention.
4. He is the full package -- defending and attacking
Semedo's defending has improved markedly over the past 18 months, his tenacious tackling and high-energy play making it difficult for opposition forwards to get away from him.
However, it is the contributions he makes in the other half of the pitch that really make him stand out. He began his career as a right midfielder before being successfully adapted to full-back, and his attacking instincts are fully intact. It is common to see him surging forward and combining well with experienced Argentine winger Toto Salvio and fellow rising Portuguese star Goncalo Guedes. He is also not averse to going for goal himself either, and scored a spectacular strike against Besiktas in the recent Champions League tie.
5. He could be Portugal's most expensive - €80 million buyout clause
Benfica are currently in negotiations with Semedo to improve and extend his contract. According the Portuguese press, he is set to sign a contract that will include an eye-watering €80 million buyout clause.
If confirmed, it will make him the player with the highest release clause in Portugal. The message is clear for all suitors. If you want to buy Semedo, prepare to pay big.
Tom Kundert was ESPN FC's Portugal blogger at Euro 2016. Twitter
http://www.espnfc.us/blog/transfer-...emedo-five-things-to-know-about-the-full-back