It’s fair to say that when Crystal Palace shelled out a reported £27million to Liverpool for Belgian striker Christian Benteke in August of 2016 we thought we were getting a powerhouse, a typical old-school striker and somebody who would thrive at Selhurst Park.
👏 @chrisbenteke has been named in the @BelRedDevils preliminary World Cup squad.
👉 https://t.co/lJs0qOWqqM pic.twitter.com/G6EfiCbhLd
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) May 21, 2018
Having lit the Premier League up during his time at Aston Villa, despite their struggles year on year, he still found the net 49 times in 101 matches across all competitions. His spell at Liverpool wasn’t a great success but in 42 games he still found the net ten times.
Making the switch to us, it was about rebuilding his confidence and getting him firing on all cylinders once again and we’ve certainly had mixed success on that front. 71 games and 20 goals later is far from a horrific return but it wasn’t what people expected.
With the 27-year-old being called up for the provisional Belgian squad this week, plenty were quick to question why.
He won’t be playing in the premiership next season!
— Adam Sullivan (@AdamSul28767270) May 21, 2018
Cause the left back out scored there star striker! He’s totally lost it.
— Adam Sullivan (@AdamSul28767270) May 21, 2018
I actually have no idea why they picked him
— Ameer.znc (@AmeerzNc) May 21, 2018
How!
— Nerrad Llenrup (@NerradL) May 21, 2018
As a defender I presume?
— Michael Bull (@mikey0404) May 21, 2018
Just like England used to do every tournament – take players that were out of form or coming back from injury – over players that were fit etc. #how
— EDDARD STARK (@SlySi1905) May 21, 2018
Despite penalty issues and ongoing and clear confidence problems, as at points, we had to rely on him with our injury list when it would’ve been better to get him out the firing line, others are willing to give him more of a break.
Whether he makes their full squad for the World Cup, the selection for the provisional squad may boost him and with more competition at the top of the pitch next season, maybe that’ll bring the best out of him once again?
Bravo Christian ????????????????????????????????
— Clément sacha (@Clementsacha2) May 21, 2018
Can people please stop giving Benteke stick? Do you not realise how much he did last season? There's a reason he played so many games last season
— James Alexander (@JamesBAlex) May 21, 2018
8 assists and 3 league goals. Constantly tracks back and provides a perfect target man for Zaha. He's done perfectly
— James Alexander (@JamesBAlex) May 21, 2018
Regardless of what the fans think, it comes down to Roy Hodgson and whether he feels he can get better from him next year or whether taking the hit on his transfer fee is a better way forward.