Adel Taarabt Already in Trouble at Benfica Over Fitness Issues
Adel Taarabt’s fresh start at Benfica has hit a snag. The Moroccan midfielder, who joined the Portuguese giants this summer, is reportedly in conflict with head coach Rui Vitória, who has sidelined the player for being overweight.
According to the Portuguese press, Vitória has instructed Taarabt to lose 1.5 kg before being allowed to rejoin the first team. The situation echoes past episodes in the player’s career where fitness concerns have caused friction with managers.
This isn’t unfamiliar territory for Taarabt. During his time at Queens Park Rangers, he clashed repeatedly with then-manager Harry Redknapp, who also criticized his physical condition.
“He is unfortunately not fit to play football,” Redknapp said at the time. “He played a game with the reserve team the other day and I could have run more than him.”
Taarabt left QPR in June and was hoping to reignite his career at Benfica. However, unless he addresses his fitness levels, his time in Lisbon may mirror his troubled spell in London.
