Cracker1234 Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Quite a few people have been asking me about Christian Benteke. This is in no small part due to the fact that Racing Genk have rejected a bid believed to be around £5.5m (€7m) for the striker. It began a few days ago with Benteke revealing that his agent had held talks with the club. However, the player himself at that point was striking an altogether more conciliatory tone. He admitted that he would like a move to the Premier League – and to a side who were not among the very best, in order to develop and grow – but that if no club reached an agreement with Genk, he would stay in Limburg. Things began to get ugly once Aston Villa entered the race for Benteke, undoubtedly as a response to two insipid displays at the start of the Premier League season, which have seen their relegation odds slashed. The 1982 European Cup winners lodged a bid of around £5.5m for the Belgian international, which was rejected by Genk. Champions three times in the last thirteen years, Racing have no financial need to sell as they pocketed sizeable fees from Chelsea from the sales of Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois, not to mention Marvin Ogunjimi’s move to Mallorca. Following that decision, rumours began to spread that Benteke had decided to go on strike. The official explanation was that he had picked up a viral infection (at a very convenient time it must be said!) and so had missed two consecutive days of training. Racing Genk confirmed earlier today that Benteke had not been included in the squad for Thursday’s must-win Europa League play-off second leg v Luzern (who won the first leg 2-1 against a terrible Genk). Genk coach Mario Been had the following to say at the pre-match press conference: “I regret the situation. I was also a player myself and I had many dreams. I wanted to play in Italy and I also did it. First of all though what counts is one thing – the team. If a player wants to go about things in such a manner, then that is entirely up to Christian. “I find it a real shame because Benteke can be unbelievably important for this team but I cannot change the situation and I work with the players who have trained. Christian is a very important player for us. Everyone knows that it is his dream to play in England. Whenever two clubs do not reach an agreement, then that player remains under contract with Genk. He doesn’t feel good (enough) in order to play and therefore was not at training for the last two days. I find it important to give confidence to those players who want to play. With players who do not, I’ve not much time for.” Clearly, Benteke is a striker of some ability. He earned his spot in the Belgium starting line-up for the recent friendly against the Netherlands and justified his selection with a well-taken goal. Unfortunately for him, he was to be overshadowed by Romelu Lukaku, who has begun the season like a man possessed. Nevertheless, Benteke should already have started against England and before this whole transfer saga had begun to kick off, he was enjoying a good start to the campaign. His first three touches included a superb ball with the outside of his right foot to the left flank and a ball over the top to put Jelle Vossen clean through. He already has three league goals to his name this term in five matches though in truth it should be more. And here we hit upon a weakness in his game, which could blight any potential career in England. Take the game against Zulte Waregem last weekend. Genk huffed and puffed but played no better than against Luzern. They eventually broke through but even with the cushion of a lead, Benteke squandered chance after chance after chance. To the casual observer, it may seem that it was just not his day but the lack of a killer instinct has plagued him throughout his career. He joined Genk last year for €1.2m from Standard Liège and his departure was popular at the time much to my bemusement. When speaking to many fans they were all glad to see the back of him and felt that he just did not have the tools in his armoury to cut it even at the top level in Belgium. As a neutral, I pointed out that he has the attributes to score goals but it was a lone voice in the wilderness. Throughout his career at Standard, Kortrijk, Mechelen and Genk, he has been booed by sections of supporters who felt he was not up to the mark and who (perhaps with some justification given this latest incident) felt he had a somewhat childish and petulant attitude. Even in his second spell with Genk he has been jeered and the player himself has come to accept that as a fact of life. It may not be the main reason pushing him towards a move but it may be a contributory factor at least. Mario Been stuck by Benteke despite the negative reactions echoing from the stands and despite Benteke being charged for carjacking, stubbornly refusing to cave in, so steadfast was his belief that Benteke would become a prolific goalscorer and thereby an integral part of his side in the post-Vercauteren/Courtois era. Benteke has been blessed with a good build and he puts his strength and power to good use, being a powerful player in the air. Although he plays as a main striker ahead of Jelle Vossen, he has also shown himself to be adept at creating for his strike partner and as I previously reiterated, is able to find the back of the net without being clinical. Of course, it should be borne in mind that he is still just 21. He may be further along in his development than Romelu Lukaku (though he has less potential down the line) but he still has a lot to learn. And I say that as someone who has consistently backed him when many did not. I believe that it would be best for Benteke to stay another season in Belgium in order to develop and begin to smooth out his rough edges. Aston Villa are a side who have been in decline since the departure of Martin O’Neill and while Paul Lambert worked minor miracles with Norwich, the atmosphere around Villa Park resembles anything but optimism. Villa already have their fill of young, inexperienced and ultimately unproven players. They need leaders in the dressing room and on the field. Benteke would not be going in to an environment conducive to blooding someone of his talent and potential. Fulham are also believed to be lining up a bid (though they have also been linked to Bafetimbi Gomis), however my view remains the same. Mario Been has done a lot for his career and he would be wise not to burn his bridges with the likeable ex-Feyenoord boss. It may already be too late for that but many an act in haste was soon to be regretted. 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Jimzk5 Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 good article that basicaly says benteke isnt the player to get us out of the poor form we are in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goalGary Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 As you may have already seen, I wrote an article on my blog about Christian Benteke, with whom Aston Villa have been linked with. http://blauwzwartmauverouche.wordpress.com/2012/08/29/aston-villa-target-christian-benteke-involved-in-transfer-stand-off-with-racing-genk/ I hope it goes some way at least to answering people's questions about him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonLax Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 That's a good write up but doesn't sound like he will be up to the job if he is booed by his own fans at his last two clubs. I can't imagion what our fans will do to him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ads Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 If the bloke scores goals and draws Bent and Ireland into chances around the box with his awkward size or provides an option for an early ball for the same reasons, then he is exactly the player we need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob182 Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Lambert can get the best out of him whilst also giving him an earful when he tries to act like billy big balls! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimzk5 Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Bent & Benteke up front at St James on Sunday then ? benteke must be signed by 12midday friday to be involved in the game Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ads Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 I thought it was 24 hours before kick off? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimzk5 Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 I thought it was 24 hours before kick off? when RVP joined united sky said on the wednesday he must be signed by 12pm thursday to play on the monday against everton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goalGary Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 You're right to point out the aspect of him being booed but I would say it was often harsh on a young player and unjustified as it continued at Genk even when he was banging the goals in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 In relation to this transfer Mat Kendrick @MatKendrick Still negotiating and things are progressing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villan-scott Posted August 29, 2012 VT Supporter Share Posted August 29, 2012 Good! Think this will be a Friday deadline day deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 My money is on it happening before Friday tbh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudevillaisnice Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 He has missed training.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewavfc Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 In relation to this transfer Mat Kendrick @MatKendrick Still negotiating and things are progressing Mat was responding, a little tongue in cheek, to another tweeter asking him to: "...please tell me we're still negotiating and things are progressing?" So Mr Kendrick duly obliged. That's not to say things aren't progressing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVFCforever1991 Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Hoping this will get wrapped up tomorrow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smetrov Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 reports not good http://m.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/aug/29/aston-villa-genk-christian-benteke?cat=football&type=article Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilentMajority Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/aug/29/aston-villa-genk-christian-benteke Aston Villa are prepared to end their interest in signing the Belgium international Christian Benteke unless Genk reduce their demands. The Midlands club have submitted a straight €7m (£5.5m) offer for the 21-year-old striker, which is an improvement on their previous bid of €6m up front and a further €1m to follow in add-ons, and have made it clear that they will walk away from the deal if Genk continue to play hard-ball. Genk are asking for double Villa's £5.5m valuation, which has frustrated Benteke, who failed to report for training on Wednesday and seems unlikely to feature in the Europa League game Lucerne on Thursday. The 22-year-old Middlesbrough left-back Joe Bennett has joined Villa on a four-year deal for a fee believed to be in the region of £2.75m. "Joe's a really good player, young and hungry to succeed and he's exactly the type of player we want here at the football club," said the Villa manager, Paul Lambert. "There's no doubt in my mind that he will thrive in this environment and he fits in exactly with what we are trying to build here." In a rather surprising move, Villa are also expected to announce in the next 24 hours that they have signed the 21-year-old Chesterfield forward Jordan Bowery in a £500,000 deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nnock1984 Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Really need a striker, and not just Bowery! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PieFacE Posted August 29, 2012 VT Supporter Share Posted August 29, 2012 I'm not sure how the Guardian would know that. I imagine they are just guessing as we've had a bid rejected and now it's gone quiet. I will only remotely believe articles that come from Kendrick or Nursey when it comes to papers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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