Former PSV player hopes for a return to France
1 min readFormer PSV goalkeeper Walter Benítez, it is true, won the UEFA Europa Conference League with Crystal Palace last season, but failed to earn a regular starting spot at Selhurst Park. For this reason, among others, the Argentine goalie appears to want to terminate his contract in England and has his sights set on a return to France.
That reports Nice-Matin. Benitez has a contract until 2028 in the south of London, but is willing to have that contract terminated and return to OGC Nice.
At that club, Benitez was under contract from 2016 to 2022, after which the goalkeeper came to PSV and was the regular choice between the posts for three years. Last year, the goalkeeper left for England on a free transfer, and in the past season the Argentine was primarily the reserve goalkeeper behind Dean Henderson.
Benitez has, to date, only played eight official matches for The Eagles. In addition, a return to France also appears possible since Senegalese Yehvann Diouf is questioning his future at Nice due to a disappointing season, as Nice-Matin reports.
According to the French media, the club only wants to have players in the squad who are backing the sporting project at Nice with one hundred percent commitment. Partly because of this, the Argentine is an option for the club from the south of France.
''Benítez is reportedly willing to terminate his contract with Crystal Palace and make financial offers to return to the Allianz Riviera'', said Nice-Matin.
Comments9
Benitez returning to Allianz Riviera makes sense after that backup season. What i worry about is whether Nice will actually treat him as the clear number one, because he already fought for minutes at Palace and got only 8 official games. Either way, i respect the ambition... 🔥⚽
Wanna see him back in the Netherlands? lol nah, but from a PSV pov you can at least respect the goalkeeper who was solid for us. Still, if Nice only wants 100% behind the project, thats a risky message to a keeper thats already been benched in England 💀
"Benítez is naar verluidt bereid om zijn contract met Crystal Palace te ontbinden" bruh that is cap-level commitment lol. If he is really paying for his exit to go back to Nice, that tells you he wants stability and trust. For a keeper, that is everything.
"Benítez is naar verluidt bereid om zijn contract met Crystal Palace te ontbinden" ... sounds like he really wants the Allianz Riviera project to fit him. Also Diouf being uncertain could open the door.
Nice-Matin says Nice wants players who are fully behind the sporting project, and I get it. But letting a keeper go based on vibes is risky, imo, especially when Diouf is also questioning his future. I want Benitez back in top matches, not just warming up.
tbh he deserves a proper starting spot, europa conference winner or not. If Henderson is the first choice at Palace, Benitez getting stuck on the bench is predictable. France looks like a better fit for his career.
Benitez won Europa Conference League but still could not force a starting spot, so leaving makes sense. Tbh i wouldnt blame him for wanting France again after three years as PSV's no.1.
If Benitez ends up in France again, PSV will be watching that situation for sure. He was solid for us, but Palace clearly didnt give him the minutes... 8 official games is rough. Nice betting on "100% behind the project" sounds like a club that wants hunger, not a backup.
ngl, i get it. If Benitez only played 8 official matches, that would drive anyone mad. Still, Nice demanding 100% buy-in is exactly how you avoid another backup situation.