Georgiy Sudakov decides to stay at Benfica and prove his worth
The Ukrainian midfielder is determined to fight for his place in the squad despite a challenging debut season in Portugal.
Attacking midfielder Georgiy Sudakov has decided not to seek a move during the summer transfer window. According to reports from A Bola, the 23-year-old Ukrainian intends to remain at Benfica and prove his quality on the pitch.
The previous season proved testing for the player, who had to adjust to a new league and life outside of Ukraine. By the end of the campaign, Sudakov saw his playing time diminish, missing the final six matches. Despite this, the player has already begun an individual training program to reach peak physical and psychological shape before the new season.
The club's stance remains complex. Benfica made a significant financial commitment to acquire the player from Shakhtar, and while a sale has not been ruled out due to squad reconstruction plans, a transfer is complicated by his lack of recent game time and Ukraine's absence from the 2026 World Cup.
The player's goal is to convince the coaching staff of his importance to the team, regardless of who is in charge next season.
During the 2025/26 season, Sudakov made 36 appearances for the Lisbon side, contributing four goals and four assists.