The Crystal Palace boss was brutally honest about what the club would do if one of Europe’s biggest clubs made a big money move for the forward.
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has been speaking to the Guardian this week about his plans for the club, and he made a surprising admission about Christian Benteke’s future should the Eagles’ record signing have a stellar season.
Pardew has overcome a difficult start to the campaign to lift the South Londoners up to ninth position, and a recent run of three straight wins owed a lot to the goals of their new striker. The Palace boss said he would like to keep the current squad together, but admitted if Paris Saint-Germain made a serious approach for Benteke it would be difficult to say no.
“It becomes more about keeping this group together,” Pardew told the Guardian. “If I can do that for two years, and add to it in January and the summer, we’ll have a great chance of Europe.
“It’s about whether I can keep them fit, and whether or not, for example, a Paris Saint-Germain comes knocking for Christian if he scores 20 goals. If that happens he’s gone and I’ve got to find another player within our budget.
Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke in action with West Ham United’s Winston Reid
“Those things can happen. But, at the moment, we’ve built a good ship and it’s steaming in the right direction.”
The Belgium striker has made an impressive start to his Crystal Palace career after what was a big money move from Liverpool during the summer.
The 25-year-old has three Premier League goals to his name in six matches, and it could have been four if he would have converted his penalty against West Ham United last week.
Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke celebrates scoring
That miss was naturally a disappointment but there is no denying that Palace look much more of a goal threat with the former Aston Villa star in the side, while the move to Selhurst Park already looks like a hugely positive step for Benteke considering how his time at the Reds had been going.
Considering the Eagles were reported to have paid £27 million plus extensions for the player, according to BBC Sport, it is likely they would be able to ask for a gigantic amount from any suitors if Benteke does produce the kind of form that would make the continent’s biggest clubs sit up and take notice.
But what do you think Palace fans, would you rather the club try to hold on to their best players or do you appreciate Pardew’s honesty?
Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke gestures to their fans after the match
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