Who Is João Neves?
International tournament football tends to propel players’ profiles, and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was no different.
As Argentina went on to claim their third title, one player who caught the attention of five-time Premier League champions Chelsea was midfielder Enzo Fernández.
Fernández subsequently secured a move to the Blues for a British-record transfer fee in January 2023.
His departure led to much media speculation about who would replace him at SL Benfica.
Still, the Águias looked no further than their academy, eventually promoting 19-year-old João Neves into the role.
Neves enjoyed a seamless transition into the Benfica first-team, and the youngster played a pivotal role in ensuring the Primeira Liga returned to the Estádio da Luz for the first time in four years.
The 19-year-old midfielder, who reportedly has a €120 million transfer clause, has started most matches this season as Benfica currently leads the league.
In this tactical analysis and scout report, we will provide an analysis of how Neves has fit into Roger Schmidt’s tactics at Benfica following Fernández’s departure.
We will also use xGold to compare Neves to players from the Premier League, highlighting why the teenager may one day be bound for England’s top tier.
SL Benfica Post-Enzo Fernández
Roger Schmidt typically sets up his side in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Benfica are a possession-based side, averaging 62.9% possession, the highest in the division.
The Lisbon-based side often looks to pass out from the defence at a high tempo.
The Benfica full-backs look to use the width of the pitch, and the onus is on the double-pivoted midfielders to ensure a smooth transition from the defensive to attacking phases of play.
The double pivot in defensive midfield is, therefore, required to be comfortable on the ball, possess an expansive passing range, and be competent at regaining possession.
This was a role in which Enzo Fernández excelled prior to his departure to Stamford Bridge.
However, his replacement, Neves, has been just as adept.
Enzo Fernández Vs João Neves Radar Map
Although not an immediate starter following the Argentine’s exit, Neves was ever-present in the final six league games of last season, having made numerous appearances from the bench.
The radar chart shows a similar level of quality from the two midfielders last season.
However, the radar chart shows that Neves has stronger defensive play than Fernandez, particularly with positioning and the percentage of defensive aerial duels won.
His strong aerial play is a surprise, considering his 5ft 9 build.
The radar chart alludes to a particular strength of Neves’, which is his ability to carry the ball forward.
It is a testament to the youngster that the 19-year-old has even improved this season.
In the last campaign, Neves completed 0.74 progressive carries per 90, compared to 1.57 progressive carries per 90 in the division this season.
João Neves Penetrating Carries Map
The graphic shows that Neves has become accustomed to dribbling with the ball for considerable distances this season.
Considering the 19-year-old’s position as a defensive midfielder, his attack-minded play is refreshing.
Schmidt is an admirer of the Portuguese midfielder’s possessional play, describing how he is “very good under pressure, very good with the ball, always available, very courageous”.
Neves is the deepest outfield player, with two Sporting CP players pressing high in the Benfica half.
Despite the intense opposition pressure, Neves shows composure on the ball to dribble past the two Sporting CP players.
His immediate instinct is to dribble forward with the ball before playing a progressive pass down the left-hand channel.
João Neves’ style of play is synonymous with Schmidt’s preferred direct vertical approach.
The 19-year-old’s overall passing accuracy has also improved this season in Portugal’s top tier, as he has completed 88% of his passes, compared to 85.4% last campaign.
Moreover, he currently ranks in the 85th percentile for dangerous passes per 90 in the league compared to last season when he ranked in the 76th percentile.
It is such passing accuracy that is key in driving Benfica forward and combatting the opposition’s press.
Benfica are seemingly hemmed into the left side of the pitch.
However, Neves has the presence of mind to switch the play out to Ángel Di María.
This pass bypasses the opposition midfield and is effective in transitioning play deep from within Benfica’s half.
It is demonstrated how calm the youngster is on the ball when under pressure.
Neves is surrounded on the edge of the penalty area but lofts the ball between the opposition towards his teammate, who subsequently hits his effort off-target.
The calmness of his play suggests a maturity beyond his years.
João Neves Player Profile
Roger Schmidt’s offensive style of play involves limiting the opponent’s time on the ball, and subsequently, Benfica adopts a high press.
Their PPDA value of 8.3 is the lowest in the division.
In pressing high, Benfica forces the opposition out wide, blocking passing opportunities down the channels.
The off-the-ball positions of the Águias limit the space for the opposition to instigate an attack.
João Neves & SL Benfica High Regains Map
Neves has played a significant role in the press this season, as the graphic shows that he is responsible for nearly 13% of all Benfica’s successful overall high press gains in the league.
For all Primeira Liga players to have featured for at least five 90s this season, Neves has averaged 1.08 tackles in the attacking third, the highest in the division.
Moreover, the 19-year-old has won nine tackles in the attacking third, the most of any player in the league, averaging 2.65 tackles won per 90 minutes.
This figure ensures he ranks third in the overall league for tackles won compared to players who have played the equivalent of at least five 90 minutes.
Although Neves plays as a defensive midfielder, his defensive line is relatively high.
João Neves Defensive Territory Map
The graphic shows that Neves predominantly defends in the opposition’s half, suggesting the aggressive nature of João Neves’ style of play.
Given SL Benfica’s dominance on the ball, the 19-year-old must be alert to the opposition’s quick turnovers.
Benfica’s high positional play makes them vulnerable to counterattacks, but Neves has backtracked here and successfully prevented the counterattack by winning his tackle.
The image shows the athleticism of the teenager as he had to retreat in order to avert the danger quickly.
The youngsters’ positional play has been crucial in regaining possession for his team.
Neves’ position is high for a defensive midfielder, but his position ensures the ball is played inside rather than long within the inside right channel.
The Portuguese midfielder quickly closes down the opposition, who then attempts a first-time ball forward.
The pass lacks accuracy, though, and Benfica regains possession.
The match images suggest a fast tempo in Benfica’s matches, and Neves is a key figure in dictating the pace of the game.
The ball is played inside towards Neves, but rather than taking a touch to assess his options, he plays a first-time ball towards David Jurásek.
Jurásek subsequently runs onto the ball towards the penalty area.
The safest option in this case would have been to play a square ball to his midfield partner, but the youngsters’ progressive play helped Benfica play with purpose.
However, a weakness of João Neves’ skill set is his lack of firepower.
He has only found the back of the net once this season and has an expected goal tally of just 0.07 per 90.
Yet, at a still young age, there is plenty of time for such improvement.
The youngster has been proving his credentials in other aspects of his game, which warranted a nomination for the 2023 Golden Boy Award and call-ups to the senior Portugal squad.
It has been rumoured that his Portuguese teammates Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes are trying to persuade the Benfica midfielder to join them at their respective clubs in Manchester.
Is João Neves Premier League Bound?
The xGold software has been utilised to determine which defensive midfielders in the Premier League are most similar to Neves.
Top 5 EPL Defensive Midfielders Similar To João Neves
The table above lists the top five players most similar to the young Portuguese international.
The similarity scores in the table indicate that there is very little that separates these top five players in their respective comparisons to Neves.
The top two on the list — Bruno Guimarães and Youri Tielemans — are both relatively recent acquisitions for Eddie Howe and Unai Emery‘s sides.
Therefore, it is likely that neither will need to be replaced in the upcoming transfer windows.
On the other hand, Thomas Partey is currently absent with a long-term injury for Arsenal.
However, prior to injury, Mikel Arteta opted to deploy Partey in a hybrid role, transitioning between right-back and defensive midfield.
It would be an unfamiliar role for Neves.
The xGold analysis revealed similarities between Neves and Rodri, as shown in the radar chart below.
Despite that, Rodri has marginally outperformed Neves in most departments this campaign.
João Neves Vs Rodri Radar Map
Rodri has been vital to City’s success and scored the winner against Inter Milan to clinch the treble for his side last season.
Pep Guardiola‘s side suffered back-to-back defeats in the games, which Rodri missed due to suspension during this campaign.
This indicates just how important he is at the Etihad.
Despite his young age, Neves has shown an aptitude for performing in the big matches.
His equaliser against Sporting last season ensured Benfica only needed a point in the last fixture to clinch the title.
Similarly, his stoppage-time equaliser against Sporting CP was the catalyst for a turnaround against their fiercest rivals this season, ensuring the Águias currently lie in pole position.
To alleviate some of the pressure from Rodri, City bought Kalvin Philips, but the former Leeds midfielder has struggled for game time and consistency following the transfer.
In time, the current Premier League champions will seek a long-term replacement for Rodri.
However, Man City’s style of play is much different to Benfica’s, preferring a slower and more intricate build-up.
Moreover, the Citizens do not press with the same intensity.
Whilst Neves operates within a double pivot, Rodri is a more traditional number six midfielder tasked with protecting the back line.
In recent seasons, the Spaniard has been joined in defensive midfield by John Stones and Manuel Akanji, who operate in a hybrid role between defence and midfield.
This, however, would not be a role anticipated for Neves since he is not a natural defender.
The lone defensive midfield role that Rodri occupies requires intelligent reading of the game.
Rodri often looks to prevent counterattacking movements, as seen above, where his interception prevents Rasmus Højlund from breaking away with only two City defenders to beat.
If Neves was to join City, it would be more anticipated that he would do so with the intention to learn from Rodri and become his successor over time.
The youngster has the attributes to adapt to a differing tactical approach.
However, in doing so, Neves would be sacrificing the game time that he gets every week at Benfica.
Alternatively, Neves is an option for Manchester United, who are rumoured to be looking to replace their midfielder, Casemiro.
The Team xGold software shortlisted Neves in a list of top 10 recruits for United’s defensive midfield.
João Neves Vs Casemiro Radar Map
The radar chart shows that the Portuguese youngster is outperforming Old Trafford’s veteran in nearly all departments.
Neves is particularly stronger in an attacking and possessional sense.
Considering Casemiro‘s age, Neves could be an exciting prospect for Erik Ten Hag‘s anticipated new-look midfield.
Manchester United‘s style of play is similar to Benfica’s in that they also regularly adopt the 4-2-3-1 formation and play at a similar tempo, progressing upfield at 1.90m/s, compared to Benfica’s 1.94m/s.
Ten Hag has attempted to implement a passing strategy from the goalkeeper this season, which is reminiscent of SL Benfica’s approach.
Although Casemiro has strong defensive play, recording 1.67 tackles won per 90 and 0.69 interceptions per 90, the Brazilian is less inclined to progressing play.
United are one of the division’s lowest scorers from open play this season, with 11 goals.
This suggests they need more inventive play from their midfield in transitioning from defence to attack.
Furthermore, Neves has successfully completed 73.9% of his attempted long balls, while Casemiro has only completed 56.6% of his attempted long balls.
This suggests a stronger passing distribution by Neves, which would be an asset to United’s play.
Whether they would be willing to meet his release clause remains to be seen.
Conclusion
In this tactical analysis and João Neves’ scout report, we have highlighted the positive attributes of Benfica’s home-grown talent.
His progressive passing range and his ability to carry the ball have made him the perfect replacement for Enzo Fernández.
The youngster’s strong defensive capabilities further demonstrate his all-round game, as he has the stamina to help dictate the play.
Whilst he could improve his goal return, youth is certainly on his side to improve this element.
This analysis has further shown that Neves is similar to some of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League.
We have highlighted that a move to City would require a change to Neves’ current midfield role; the 19-year-old would be an exciting addition to the United line-up and particularly help in their attacking phases of play.
Whether Neves will make the move to the Premier League this upcoming window remains to be seen.
However, an eventual move to English football does seem somewhat inevitable.
There is undoubtedly debate about whether he will opt for the blue or red half of Manchester.
