Jean-Philippe Mateta’s arrival does not spell the end of Christian Benteke’s Crystal Palace career, insists Roy Hodgson
BY SAM SMITH
Roy Hodgson has denied that Jean-Philippe Mateta’s arrival at Crystal Palace means Christian Benteke is set to depart.
Benteke’s future has been the subject of increased speculation since Mateta signed on an initial 18-month loan last week. A reunion with former Palace boss Sam Allardyce at West Brom has been suggested – although the Belgian’s agent has reportedly quashed those rumours.
Allardyce this morning said that he would be interested in signing the 30-year-old if the opportunity to do so arose. Benteke also has just six months remaining on his contract, with an extension unlikely.
However, Hodgson wants as many forwards as possible competing for a place in Palace’s starting 11.
The 73-year-old said: “I’m afraid as a manager – especially with a team that hasn’t always scored enough goals, we’ve created more goals than we have converted – you can’t have too many forwards. The competition for places is going to be very, very important for us.
“[Signing Mateta] was an opportunity that came our way, a player who we have followed for a long time. Had we not taken the opportunity on the basis that we have some forwards at the club already, then he would have gone elsewhere and we would have missed out on the opportunity of using him not just for this season, but for the next season as well.
“I think it was an obvious choice that when the opportunity came up to take a player that we like, to do so. It adds some competition for the players who are here, and I expect them to step up to the plate and fight off the competition that he will provide.
“Of course, there are a lot of games to be played and we have only just reached the halfway stage. There are going to be some important fixtures coming up for us during the last 19 [games] if we are to achieve our goal, and I don’t think I can have too many forward and too many goalscorers to help me achieve that.”
Benteke has three goals in 15 appearances this season, including striking a brace against West Brom at the start of last month.
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