Are Chelsea planning another raid on Benfica?

It's November, and transfer rumours in November arrive in weird forms. Today, we're getting to hear through the Portuguese press about Chelsea sending scouts to Benfica's match against Monaco yesterday, and that's being parsed by SportWitness as continuing the club's interest in Anderson Talisca, whom Jose Mourinho spoke about towards the end of last summer. Their interpretation certainly makes some sense (although it's worth pointing out that Talisca is the hot topic right now, since he scored an 82nd-minute winner).

Talisca reportedly has an obscene buyout clause and Benfica aren't likely to go a-selling anytime soon -- they've only had him since the start of the season -- so I wouldn't imagine that this has anything to do with the upcoming winter transfer window. But the 20-year-old has been magnificent for the Eagles, with nine goals in 14 games, and we've had success doing business with them in the past. It's certainly not out of the question that Chelsea want to keep a close eye on him as he develops, letting Benfica do the developing and work-permitting ahead of a potential move to the Premier League.

Not something to get excited about just yet then, I think, but it's certainly worth remembering the name. Transfer or not, you'll be hearing it more often over the next few years.