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?
