What if Benfica had retained their best players?

Central Midfield

Nemanja Matic

If Benfica had their way, they would have kept Nemanja Matic for good. But Matic was somewhat of a late bloomer.

Originally signed by Chelsea, he was used as a pawn when the Blues decided to sign David Luiz in a player-plus-cash swap deal. Again, it was Jorge Jesus who transformed Matic into a key member of the squad by changing his position from an attacking midfielder to a defensive midfielder.

The 6'4" Matic thrived in that position and played 47 times in 2013/14 where the club won the Primeira Liga. Chelsea took their time but soon brought him back in the next January transfer window for €25m.

Axel Witsel

Alongside him is a Belgian whose career may have panned out differently had he not agreed to move to the Russian Premier League for five seasons. Axel Witsel is one of Belgium's ever-present players in midfield but he no longer plays in Europe, choosing the riches of the Chinese Super League instead.

Witsel spent just one season at Benfica where he made nearly 50 appearances in the season, even scoring five goals. Although a bit weak in the tackle, he was a strong passer of the ball with a good dribble in him.

Benfica would have been crazy to ignore a €40m bid from Zenit Saint Petersburg in 2012.