Vlachodimos continuing to develop at Benfica
Since the 2019/2020 season began, Odisseas Vlachodimos has taken the step to the next level at Benfica, standing out with impressive performances and plenty of clean sheets.
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The decision to leave Panathinaikos in favour of Benfica in the summer of 2018 was certainly a wise one. Immediately after moving to Benfica, Vlachodimos became the team’s starting goalkeeper, subsequently helping the Lisbon giants defeat PAOK and AEK in the UEFA Champions League before winning the domestic championship. In the summer, rumours suggested that the Benfica management had lost confidence in Vlachodimos after some shaky showings in the previous campaign, but the Greek has subsequently proven his doubters wrong.
Overall, if we take all competitions during 2019 into account, Vlachodimos participated in 46 matches for Benfica, recording an impressive 21 clean sheets. Only Jan Oblak (24) and Marco Bizot (29) gained more shutouts, while Marc Ter Stegen also tallied 24 clean sheets during the calendar year:
Interestingly, according to statistics provided by Goal Point in Portugal, Vlachodimos saves 86.1% of the shots he faces, meaning opposing teams require an average of 7.2 attempts to find the back of the net. Vlachodimos is statistically the most reliable goalkeeper across the continent in this category, beating the likes of Keylor Navas (Paris Saint Germain) and Alisson Becker (Liverpool):
In the current season, Vlachodimos has participated in 22 matches for Benfica in all tournaments, registering 13 clean sheets while only conceded 16 goals. Incidentally, 11 of those 16 markers were conceded in the UEFA Champions League group stage, as Benfica finished in third place behind Olympique Lyonnais and RB Leipzig. The Eagles defeated Zenit Saint Petersburg 3:0 on matchday six at home to qualify for the Last of 32 of the UEFA Europa League.
Reports in the media are now beginning to link Vlachodimos with a move away from the Portuguese capital. Ajax, the 2018/2019 Champions League semi-finalists, have expressed interest in Vlachodimos, with Benfica demanding at least 20 million euros for the 25-year-old. Transfermarkt rates Vlachodimos’ value at 15 million.
Vlachodimos is also battling against Vasilis Barkas and Alexandros Paschalakis for the number one spot between the sticks for the senior Greek national team. He has made six appearances for Greece since making his debut in November 2018.
