Crystal Palace are looking to offload their Belgian striker Christian Benteke this summer. The striker has had a dismal season as he has found the net just three times in 30 appearances this season. The Eagles brought him in the 2016 summer window for £27m but since then he has failed to impress at Selhurst Park.
Palace were deep into the relegation battle at the start of the season as they lost their first seven games and everybody expected them to go down sooner rather than later. However, their fortunes changed since they appointed the veteran manager Roy Hodgson. People at Selhurst Park were slightly sceptical regarding his appointment but by now they should have understood what a terrific work the former England manager has done. On the back of such performances, Hodgson has been nominated for the Premier League‘s Manager of The Season award.
Benteke had a decent outing last season as he managed to score 17 goals in all competitions. This season, he will hopefully be the first one to admit that he has let his team down on numerous occasions. He has squandered a number of chances which has let his team down and it is in no way acceptable for a striker playing at the topmost level.
Benteke is a traditional no.9 who has immense strength and is particularly good in the air. He made his name when he was with Aston Villa for three years as he was prolific with them and scored 49 goals in 101 appearances. As a result, he was picked up by Liverpool on the back of such good numbers. However, since his departure from Villa Park, he hasn’t been able to replicate his form in the Premier League and has been guilty of missing crucial chances.
Palace’s attacking outlet this season has largely been dependent on Wilfried Zaha and when he has been out injured, the team has struggled to score goals. He has even turned up as a false 9 for Roy Hodgson to cover up for Benteke, who has been wasteful on quite a few occasions. However, one still feels that the big Belgian can come good and the Eagles should probably stick with him for one more season.
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Palace, however, might be in search of a striker in the transfer market who will give Benteke stern competition for a place in the starting eleven and help the Eagles sharpen their attack in the next term.
