For all his failings since becoming Aston Villa manager, Paul Lambert did pull off what was probably the best signing of last summer.
In the first half of the season, most plaudits went to Swansea City’s cheap acquisition of Michu. But whilst the Spaniard offered diminishing returns in the second half of the season, Villa’s own super-signing stayed strong.
The man I’m talking about is, of course, Christian Benteke: the big Belgium forward who scores goals for fun. He cost Villa just £7m and scored 23 goals in 39 appearances last season. That’s particularly impressive given that Villa were struggling towards the bottom of the Premier League for most of the season.
If he can succeed at Villa Park, surely the 22-year-old can succeed anywhere?
This thought has fueled a great deal of speculation regarding his player. He may only have been in England for the best part of a year, but he’s already looking to trade up. The player has previously been quoted saying the following:
“If Aston Villa say I must stay, I won’t necessarily accept that. I do not in any way want to feel I didn’t get the most out of my career. I try to get everything. If the chance comes up for me to join a club like Arsenal, I’m convinced we can reach a compromise where everyone comes out a winner.” (Source: The Express)
Whilst I’m sure Villa fans were disappointed to hear this, the reality is that Benteke is a footballer who deserves to play at the top level. He shouldn’t be duking it out at the bottom of the Premier League. The Express also claim that Arsenal aren’t the only interested party. Spurs are also looking to steal a march on the 22-year-old forward. And it strikes me that Andre Villas Boas’ side would be a better match for the young forward. Arsenal don’t really trade in stocky centre-forwards (besides, they already have Olivier Giroud). Spurs on the other hand, could really use Benteke’s firepower. Both Jermaine Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor have been disappointing this season.
If Tottenham had a free-scoring centre-forward they would likely have earned a Champions League slot this season. They’ll have to make sure they do better next time round. The Express claim a £15m deal for Benteke could be on the cards. This, I think could be the deal that Benteke was referring to – one where all parties end up ‘winners’.
What’s your take? Should Spurs make a move for Christian Benteke?
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Before this degenerates into a Spurs Villa pissing contest lets put some perspective on things.
Most Villa fans are realistic enough to accept the Beast is going to outgrow our pond eventually, we have watched him for a season and know how good he is. He is still learning and what you don’t pick up from 10 minutes on MOTD there are parts to his game that need improvement. He can do that at Villa Park, another season with us playing for a team that gets the best out of him and he can become one of the best strikers in the game.
When he does leave Villa Park it should be to a club that either genuinely challenge for the title in England or competes in the Champions League every season. Currently Spurs are neither of those things, they had a chance to move up in the last two seasons but failed, Arsenal could be with investment but as it stands I doubt there is a club here or abroad who will meet our valuation of £40m for a player who is a bit green and with one season in the prem under his belt. Conversely anything involving swap deals and anything less than £25m are insulting to Villa. Noises from Villa Park suggest now the internationals are out the way that Villa will confirm Benteke is staying this week along with Andi Weimann.
UTV
A truly awful piece of ‘journalism’.
The only way Spurs could afford Benteke is if they offered Villa Bale in a straight swap. A sideways move at best
Benteke may or may not leave villa this summer but some of the clubs mentioned have no chance of signing him. I can understand Dortmund Milan and Arsenal being linked but Liverpool Fiorentina and Spurs ? The London press are desperate to get Benteke to north London and keep bigging Spurs up but fans of other clubs do have brains and can see through the nonsense they spout. Good luck to Spurs they.are a good club but please get real. Villa are a bigger club.
forget all this….just read big sam is in for wilfried bonny, a potential target for us last season. Come on Lambert, he would be one hell of a strike partner for Benteke and he would be interested.
spurs in dreamland dont you mean bent for 15mil
Terrible article, completely out of tune with recent developments regarding Benteke. £15m is beyond laughable and I also doubt he would turn down the likes of Borrussia Dortmund to join Tottenham? You guys should focus on trying to keep Bale however, if you get 70m+ for him we will drive Benteke down to your offices for a cool 40m quite happily.
This journo needs to find a new career or write about something he actually posses knowledge about !! 15m for Benteke and quoting an article that has already been stated was absolute BS, jog on harry joke
15 million .pmsl . you call yourself a reporter . Get down poundland they are looking for staff