Chelsea Midfielder Ramires Targets Benfica Return ‘One Day’

Posted by

Brazilian still has affection for former club.

Check in to Brazil vs Portugal

Chelsea midfielder Ramires has hinted that he would like to return to his former club Benfica one day, as he still has a strong affection for the club, Sky Sports reports.

The 26-year-old spent a single season with the Portuguese side before moving to Chelsea in 2010, but says he feels his development there was crucial for his career in European football taking off.

Ramires started his career in his native Brazil with Cruzeiro, and is now considered a key player for Chelsea and the Brazilian national team, and says he will always be thankful for his time in Benfica.

Speaking at a press conference in the build-up to Brazil’s friendly match against Portugal, he said: “Football is full of surprises and I would like to return one day.

“Benfica have a great team with a great history, a great manager. They have only been lacking titles recently.

“I’ve still got a tremendous amount of affection for Benfica, not just because they opened the door to Europe for me but because of all the things I experienced there, how they welcomed me and how well everything turned out. I can only thank the club.”

Another Brazilian player at Chelsea, centre-back David Luiz, also moved to Stamford Bridge from Benfica, and the pair lined up against their former side in last season’s Europa League final, which the Blues won 2-1 to claim the trophy.

Ramires has 23 goals and 14 assists in over 150 appearances for Chelsea and remains first choice in midfield under Mourinho this season, despite the new manager looking like bringing in the likes of Daniele De Rossi or Sami Khedira to fill that position.

More Stories Benfica Chelsea FC