Silva’s performances have led to increased calls for him to be a surprise selection in Portugal’s World Cup squad, with many now seeing him as a potential long-term partner for Dias in the national team.
“I’m not saying that he should be called up to the World Cup,” former Benfica and Portugal defender Helder Cristovao said in a recent interview. “But what I will say is that, at this level of his development and given the level of his performances, he’s a real possibility for the World Cup in Qatar.
“He’s a player who gives signals to the coach, and we can’t be afraid to skip steps. If he continues with this level of development, he has all the ability to be in the squad.”
Longer-term, Silva’s club future is already being spoken about on an almost-daily basis in Portugal as some of Europe’s biggest clubs begin to be linked with him.
Real Madrid are said to be monitoring his progress, while Manchester United reportedly sent scouts to watch him in action against PSG.
The new five-year deal that Silva signed in September does contain a €100m (£87.6m/$97m) release clause, and so he is unlikely to come cheap, but if he maintains this level of performance, then the bidding war to get him out of Benfica could be one of the biggest ever seen for a central defender.