Marco Silva addresses Jakub Kamiński's Benfica role

Jakub Kamiński remains on the fringes of Benfica's league plans, with the Poland international yet to make his debut in the Portuguese top flight. Ahead of Benfica's meeting with Estoril in the fourth round, head coach Marco Silva was asked directly about the winger's situation and offered a firm defence of his selection decisions.

Kamiński still waiting in the league

Kamiński's start at Benfica has been limited. According to the source material, he has not yet appeared in the Portuguese league and has started only once, in a match against Sankt Gallen. In four other Europa League qualifying games, he was used only for brief late cameos.

That leaves the 23-year-old with 163 minutes in total this season. Even within that restricted role, he has managed to register one assist, but his overall position in the squad has already become a talking point in Portugal.

Silva pushes back on transfer-fee focus

Portuguese reporters raised the issue before the Estoril game, asking Silva whether Kamiński's adaptation was taking longer than expected, particularly given that Benfica paid 17 million euros for him.

Silva's response, as cited by O Jogo, made clear that he does not want the discussion reduced to one player or one transfer fee. He pointed to other signings and argued that cost alone does not determine minutes on the pitch. The Benfica coach said his responsibility is to choose what he believes is the strongest team for each match, and that those decisions rest with him.

Competition for places at Benfica

Silva also stressed that Kamiński's case should be viewed in the broader context of internal competition. He described the winger as a player who had only recently arrived, began to feature and then dropped out again, while insisting he had already explained the situation clearly.

In his view, the key factor is competition between players rather than any single verdict on Kamiński. Silva even referenced Prestianni when addressing the debate, suggesting that outside expectations over team selection do not alter his own judgement.

• Kamiński has not yet debuted in the Portuguese league.
• He has made one start, against Sankt Gallen.
• He has played 163 minutes in total this season.
• He has recorded one assist.
• Benfica face Estoril in the fourth round.

Pressure grows before Estoril

For now, the situation does not look especially encouraging for Kamiński, whose early Benfica spell has brought only limited opportunities. Still, Silva's comments suggest the door is not closed; rather, the winger is currently one of several players competing for a place.

With Benfica set to face Estoril on Monday, 31 August, attention will again fall on the team sheet and whether Kamiński is given a bigger role. Until then, Silva's message is straightforward: selection is based on his reading of the squad, not on transfer fees or outside pressure.