‘One of the best in the league at headers’ – Crystal Palace boss talks about striker’s qualities
Patrick Vieira has outlined the qualities that Christian Benteke brings to Crystal Palace after dismissing that the Belgian forward would be allowed to leave the club this transfer window.
The Frenchman revealed in the broadcast section of his press conference that Benteke would be staying at Selhurst Park beyond the January transfer window, despite Burnley registering their interest in replacing Chris Wood with the 31-year-old Palace forward.
Benteke is set to face his old side Liverpool on Sunday. During his season with the Reds, after completing a £32.5million move from Aston Villa, Benteke scored 10 goals in 42 appearances in all competitions before he joined Crystal Palace under Alan Pardew in 2016.
The Belgian signed a contract extension at Selhurst Park in the summer after reaching 10 goals under Roy Hodgson in his final season in charge of the South Londoners.
Benteke has scored four goals in 20 Premier League appearances this season under Vieira.
Speaking on whether Benteke was a player who needs confidence to bring out his best form, Vieira said: “Christian, like the majority of the players, needs confidence to get to their best, and it’s about the way we play which suits him as well.
“Having possession and creating chances gives him more opportunity to get into the opposition box.
“Christian has been doing very well for us, scoring goals, and hopefully he can build on that and have a great second half of the season.”
Outlining the qualities that Benteke brings to the side, Vieira added: “It’s clear that when you’re under pressure, he is a player who can hold the ball and wait for the support.
“He can win free-kicks high up the field, and with any crosses, he’s always dangerous inside the box as he’s one of the best players in the league with headers.”
Although Vieira praised Benteke, he has not found the net for the Eagles since the 3-3 draw with Burnley in November and has recently lost his place in the starting line up to Jean-Philippe Mateta in the 2-1 FA Cup win against Millwall. Odsonne Edouard started the game as the lone forward in the 1-1 draw with Brighton in the Premier League.
Vieira said: “Having Edouard and Mateta in the squad has pushed Christian to perform at this level, and these are the best tools that the football club and the manager can use – to have that competition to get the best out of the players.
“I believe Christian needed that as well, and this is one of the reasons why he is doing well for us.”
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
Christian B may indeed be a whiz at headers. Nevertheless, he is maddingly inconsistent. Yet, he is second in salary on the squad only to Wilf. He makes 120K per week. That is per week. — His salary should have been based on incentives. If he would just play the same every time out, everyone would be thrilled. But he doesn’t.