# Post-reflective Take on Benfica's João Neves *A condensed version of my initial take and projection on Benfica's João Neves, using our guide reflection questions.* > For the full version with images, embedded tweets, and visual breakdowns, [visit BallerzBantz](https://www.ballerzbantz.com/p/joao-neves-take). *Two days ago, I wrote about the importance of reflecting while scouting and why it's important to re-visit projections — and the chain of inferences behind them.* Today, I'll share a condensed version of my reflections around Benfica's João Neves using the prescribed guiding questions. --- ## About João João Neves is a Portuguese midfielder born on September 27, 2004, in Faro, Portugal. He joined the Benfica academy in 2016 and debuted for the first team on January 1, 2023. **Physical Profile:** 174 cm. Built. Dynamic turner once he gets low. Great balance and pivot under pressure. Tremendous intensity in all his duels. --- ### Response to guide questions on [Experience]: *Archive from 17 November, 2023* - **What do I already know?** Lightweight but mobile. Quick — maybe hasty — to release the ball. Follows up forward passes with runs in-behind. Portuguese players generally strike the ball well — João Neves does too. - **Where did I get the data from?** Two full match compilations. Read several glowing remarks online, but came out unshaken till I saw myself. - **Did I arrive at these conclusions myself?** My conclusions were contrary to public opinion and the views of my small network of scouts. ### Response to guide questions on [Reflection]: *Archive from 7 May, 2024* - **Did I make any projections?** Yes. - He came off as a shuttler — midfielder who moves between lines, gets tackles and interceptions in, connecting phases when needed. - His tendencies didn't indicate a player who'll thrive as a team's main ticker on the ball (especially in the Premier League). - Teams looking for outright shuttlers might be better off targeting players more gifted in duels. - **Has it yielded yet?** Uncertain. Since then, I have recalibrated my projection. - **Logic error identified:** I overfitted to his tendencies in his current setup and typed him on that alone, whereas shuttling might just be one of his qualities. - **Revised assessment:** - Great sense of tempo — when to release, with how much vim, and when to intercede for teammates. - High creative ceiling: sees passes and opportunities outside the usual range. Executes some with unconventional releases. - While his build might suggest a poker-tackler — João's got a knack for gathering the ball after he commits. - Especially because of his high offensive ceiling and the supreme intensity of actions, João is one you could build a Champions League midfield around. *(Visit the full article for the complete reflection and updated projections.)* --- ## Related - [[BB-wiki-1/Sports/Frameworks/Reflection as Optimizer]] - [[Ahmedhodžić]] - [[BB-wiki-1/Sports/Frameworks/Focusing on Strengths]]