#19 Anderson Talisca
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Anderson Talisca has been around for over two years but so far, the Brazilian attacking midfielder has not realised his potential. Talisca began his journey in the Brazilian League at Bahia when he joined their youth academy at the age of 15 in 2009.
His professional campaign began against Corinthians on 7th July 2013. His debut goal arrived in the following match against Sao Paulo and he went on to accrue a total of 33 games for the club that season. His time in the Brazilian League lasted just over a year as Benfica stumped up roughly €4.75 million for his services.
Life in Portugal commenced on a fantastic note for Talisca as he scored on his debut en route to a semi-final win over Estoril in the Taca de Honra. In September 2014, Talisca bagged a hat-trick against Vitoria de Setubal and a brace against Estoril and quickly took a lead in the league’s top scorer race. His goal scoring run gradually waned as the season went on and he finished with 11 goals in the Primeira Liga.
Unfortunately for the 22-year-old, the Benfica management hired Rui Vitoria as the head coach in June 2015. The manager deployed the 4-4-2 formation and the Brazilian prodigy suddenly found himself on the bench as he did not suit the manager’s system.
During the 2015-16 season, Talisca started just six league games leading to heavy transfer speculations. A move to Liverpool and the now cash-rich Wolverhampton in England’s second division was touted. A fee in the region of €25 million was submitted by the latter but the player did not receive the work permit required for the transfer and eventually transferred to Besiktas on a 1+1 year loan deal with an option to buy him outright.
Although he’s played just six games in the Super Lig as of now, he currently has the best rating (7.58) amongst the Besiktas squad according to who scored, with four goals and one assist to his name. The 2016-17 season and the next year are crucial for Talisca to rekindle his confidence and flair and to reestablish himself as one of the best Brazilian talents around.
