I’ve not really taken much notice of the “Benteke to Liverpool” rumours, as Liverpool don’t strike me as being quite a big enough club to entice our prolific striker.
Of course, the rumoured £100,000 a week might interest Benteke, but you have to look at Pool’s chances of achieving Champions league status next season. My money says they’ve no chance, so you then have to wonder what Benteke might achieve by going there, the wages apart.
It seems from what I’ve been reading of Liverpool fan’s opinions that they don’t think he’ll suit Liverpool’s style anyway, with the main reason being that he’s another Andy Carroll, ie a bruising strong header of the ball.
While that is of course true, we all know that it’s not the only string to his bow.
Not that I care much, because I think he’s better than Liverpool anyway.
Which brings me to the latest rumour, which is that Mourinho at Chelsea fancies the player.
I have to admit, I find this rumour more than a little worrying, as they are certainly a club that would tick all of Benteke’s boxes, with every chance of being champions next season, Champions league footy, London and of course massive wages.
While the link is pretty much totally unfounded, with nothing other than the Daily Mirror’s story to support it, it does make sense as the word is that Drogba may be on his way out, which would leave Chelsea with Costa and Remy.
Which makes you wonder where Benteke would feature in the pecking order.
I’d like to think that this might be something that could work in our favour, as I suspect he wouldn’t immediately be given an automatic starting berth.
But if Benteke wants to prove himself at the highest level, he’s not going to walk into any top club and be guaranteed a start is he?
As I’ve mentioned before, I blame Tim Sherwood for all these rumours to some extent.
He made a big mistake in saying that he wouldn’t stop Benteke leaving if the right money came in without emphasising strongly enough that it would take “stupid” money to get him. In fact, he should have just put a £100 million price on his head or just simply said “he’s going nowhere and he isn’t for sale”.
Even though we know these statements are meaningless, it just sends the right message to the fans.
Then again, I’m very mindful that Benteke was probably offered something in return for signing a new contract and a promise that we would let him leave might just have been that something.
This makes even more sense when you consider that the player’s agent suddenly changed tack in his comments, almost as though he’d been appeased.
I have a sneaky feeling that this Chelsea rumour might just have something to it and the truth is, if Benteke’s going to go there, you couldn’t really blame him. Whilst I’d be gutted, he’d go with my best wishes.
But Villa have to ensure that they get serious top dollar money for him and I’m not talking £30 million.
And Lerner had better not trouser the proceeds.
The thought of Benteke leaving quite simply scares me.
Us being linked to Austin and Adebayor is all well and good. But give me Benteke any day.
I could easily see him being ranked amongst the likes of some of our other legendary strikers at the club, if he were to stay.
I can dream can’t I?
Comments
111 responses to “Benteke Leaving? More rumours”
In other words, Vlaar hasn’t had a better offer? Hmm.
After Sherwood’s “durable” comment, I find this one strange.
Vlaar hasn’t exactly been an ever-present, has he?
I never thought that there’d be a huge number of ‘big’ clubs chasing him; if they were going to do it it would have been just after the World Cup last year, except that he was injured almost as soon as he came back, and ManUre didn’t make the expected move in January for the same reason.
I’m sure the scouts have been out in force watching vlaar & if they’ve seen what we have he’ll be staying.
Was never likely he was going to be offered a contract at like, United like the media thinks. Ajax at best were probably the biggest link and I don’t think he’s ready to give up on staying in England yet to go retire there. Plus as you said, Sherwood’s very much an extrovert and so is Vlaar I’d say, at least from what I’ve seen on the pitch.
I know he had a bit of a shocker against Saints, but don’t think it’s a coincidence that since he’s been back from injury we’ve had an upturn in results. Clark and Okore did look good together, but Vlaar in the back 4 does make us look more solid/manly. I may be wrong but points gained would also reflect positively.
In regards to Benteke, he has had a brilliant run in. If he does go, I’d thank him for the goals (and hopefully FA cup win) but not be too downhearted. In my opinion Austin would be a good purchase and the way we’re playing and creating chances we’re now looking like a more appealing prospect to potential forwards.
I agree on Vlaar, he’s a leader. I’m okay with him going or staying. Vlaark works well with Baker, Clark with Okore. Clark and Vlaar don’t work well enough for me and Vlaar and Okore definitely don’t. Vlaar was clearly unfit but we didn’t have a choice, he had to play. Senderos isn’t fit either.
Austin and Florian for Benteke and Kozak would be good business for us. Austin’s clearly quality. 17 goals and 7 assists at QPR is great business for him. Only has a year left so I don’t think they’ll get 15m for him. Florian’s a quality young striker, only 20, scoring goals for fun in Switzerland so the step up would do him well. 17-20m for the duo would probably be just over half what we get for Benteke, Kozak’s added 3-5m + the 35mish we got from Benteke. We’d have 20m to spend for fun just from those 2.
https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/11165328_359509710915328_3914532409938067555_n.jpg?oh=40fea7d65290683a020fc6753f4d5d79&oe=55C32C55
Thanks for posting that Andrew; interesting.
Should be an interesting summer. FWIW I’m for keeping Vlaar as we do need experienced players and TS obviously feels he improves the back 4 and helps with the younger players?
Don’t know about Gil. Looked good in a poor team playing badly but have we really seen enough to judge?
Would be surprised if we let Kozak go but I think Weimann will be offered an opportunity elsewhere which is fine by me. Tries hard but has not really pushed on and I would wish him well.
Next season will define our future and that of TS but Tom Fox’s comments would suggest more investment in the team for next season.
Now let’s go and win that Cup. UTV
We are losing a very promising centre forward if we let Weimann go.
He has been played out of position for the last 2 seasons. He is not a wide man. Right side of midfield – no way.
I would like him to play alongside Benteke for a while. He has a brain and makes runs into space. Gabby just has pace nothing else.
Gabby’s a bit better than just pace but yeah, Weimann’s far better than Gabby. His runs, his intelligence, finishing, crossing, passing, plays off Benteke a lot better. He’ll track back, he’s a work horse but has all the talent to do more than that, and as a CF he’d get double figures in goals and assists with Benteke with Gil and Grealish behind them.
Steve ,some credence in that, Gabby can only use pace and that’s all, cannot turn on the ball leaves himself only the option to go it alone, Weimann moves into and looks for gaps, as we all know been played out of his comfort zone over the last two season’s, he’s one I would take a long good look at, God knows as to why Gill has been treated like a alien at Villa, wish someone could enlighten us as what’s gone on.
All fair comment re Weimann but like Gill why hasn’t he been given that opportunity when we are playing two number 10’s in a diamond? Thought that would have suited Weimann’s game.
Vlaar’s supposedly a good teacher according to Sherwood. He’s a good leader. Our problem is Vlaar and Baker are best together, like Clark and Okore. I think Vlaar and Clark will be our starting 2 CB’s though which doesn’t work.
Gil’s an interesting one. Sherwood dropped the whole winger game for two AM’s in N’Zogbia and Grealish but Gil’s a natural AM. Don’t get why he’s not played but hopefully he’s sold for his own good.
I think it’d be odd to let go of Kozak. But being linked to Florian, Adebayor and I can see a few more strikers being linked, as if Kozak goes we need 2. Benteke and Gabby are starters, so we clearly will play 2 up front. Need the depth.
Fox and Sherwood’s comments show we look far likely to get more investment, can see a fair bit actually.
I don’t know I think vlar and Clark could be a good partnership but we haven’t seen it enough, Clark and baker are the only two I see that don’t work well together because we haven’t seen enough of the vlar okore combo, I wouldn’t mind if vlar left, he is injury prone and mistakes are creeping into his game a lot recently, not just the southampton game but he has lost us a lot of points this year from what I remember, Stoke, Newcastle, spring to mind straight away. Clark, okore did very well for a time so u would like to see them given time together as both are young so with 1 or 2 more years exp they could be formidable IMO. I don’t think anybody understands the gil situation, he is top class from what I’ve seen, unbelievable technique and sublime vision, far better than nzogbia, the only attributes nzogbia would have over gil are physical which might be the reason but if u ask me this front 4 would be unstoppable.
Bacuna………gil……..Grealish
benteke
Sorry for the comment going into moderation Kerry.
Should be sorted now.
I think Fox is our best signing for many years…
TS said Benteke can leave if the right money came in yes, but then he said “but no one can afford him”. To me that’s making a statement. Added to that it was just the one interview when this was spoken about I wouldn’t worry too much, if he goes it will be for good money, everyone in football knows the potential of the lad
I am worried a little bit though that he could go as some dodgy swap deal, would be typical villa, TS hopefully isn’t that stupid
We’ve done 1 swap deal and that was 16m + Ireland for Milner. Would be quite odd if he did a swap deal.
You are right mate but it still worries me, Villa have a way of doing barmy things like that
Not sure what club we’d swap him with in all honesty. No chance he goes to Liverpool. Atletico or Wolfsburg for me are most likely, with Chelsea 3rd.
Plus we have this http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2015/05/23/aston-villa-boss-tim-sherwood-delivers-blow-to-liverpools-hopes/
Benteke doesn’t suit Pool at all. Think Rodgers knows that, not that they will get him anyways.
Where do u think he will go then. I think Spurs if they sold Kane. Utd would probably look at him so would Chelsea and arsenal. Maybe as bony isn’t working out to well at city we could sell him there and get bony in a straight swap as both players are similar and worth about the same.
Bony works at City, City just need rid of Dzeko.
I think he’ll go abroad if he leaves. Atletico first, Wolfsburg second, and then Chelsea, then Arsenal. Tottenham have as little a chance as Liverpool, which is miniscule. Pool can’t attract players when they have CL, failing to get that, really think they can still attract the bigger players? Come on, I know you like Pool but he won’t go there.
If Benteke has any sense he’ll hang around for at least another season and see what happens at Villa.
If the club has a good season and he scores consistently he may find some bigger opportunities beckoning…or then again if we’re doing well he might just want to stay (fingers and toes crossed)
Why hang around and see what happens. We will be bottom 6 yet again he will be injured for half a season and still be our top scorer. Why bother staying with a club who’s only ambition is staying up when he can double or treble wages elsewhere with a sky 4 team. It’s a no brainer for him imo
OohAah, you’re desperate for him to go so that you can tick your ever moving “told you so” box. As I said just the other day, I genuinely think he’ll stay – not for ever but for next season at least.
If I’m wrong, I look forward to hearing you tell us that you told us this would happen.
It is the time to sell season tickets, so anything said by AVFC staff including the manager should be adjusted for excess rose tint.
TS has revealed something of his views on players that he is not happy with in his comments.
“They have to show it to me in training.”
“We are in a crisis, I need players who will put their bodies on the line for this club.”
“Grealish is not a kid he is a man – look at his legs.”
This I think the clue to why Gil has not been picked, he is a bit fragile. Messi and Iniesta might struggle through a BMH training session if that is the way TS thinks.
Perhaps later than most posts is TS statement that we have to go toe to toe with Arsenal, we don’t have the squad to sit back and catch them on the break. Oh dear, 8-0 and 6-1 come to mind, the first Arsenal’s tally against us this season and the second our last toe to toe result.
Of course, return to the top of this post – it is bullshit time and by the same token we have a cup final to play so anything the manager says this early about tactics is to be taken with a pinch of salt. I hope!
New faces today in the team ?,according to BBC sports young blood maybe seen like players from call back and academy, interesting. I think its going to be tight but a win for Villa, 2-1,its a full house today and I’m going. Oohah see you at the game. ☝✋
You may have to give oohah directions Bill. 😉
Oops B6, , yer right, Oohah take the A 47 into Aston area, walk towards the church, thats the one that’s got a steeple and grave stones , the road divides just before the ground thats Villa park. I’m under the camera on the halfway line, hey buy you a pie mate.
Given
Hutton- Vlaar- Okore- Cissosko
Delph- Westwood- Cleverley
Bacuna- Grealish
Benteke
Villa 3 Burnley 1
Great article by Gary Neville in The Times yesterday. Saying how Pool have become a provincial club with just local thinking…Not where Benteke would want to go…Looking forward to today’s game, and next Saturday even more!!!!!
Just taking up on something Andrew said, if Man City ‘need’ to get rid of Dzeko, we should put ourselves first in line for his signature if Benteke does want out. A hugely under rated player in my eyes and a much better option than Adebayor. Also, have you noticed how Kozak becomes a better player the longer he’s out, he’s just about an average striker to me with good hold up ability, but my Granny is faster, and she’s been dead 20 years!