Christian Benteke has failed to score a single Premier League goal so far this season for Crystal Palace so what does his future hold at Selhurst Park?
How do you solve a problem like Christian Benteke?
The £27 million striker who scored 15 Premier League goals in 2016/17 has looked a shadow of his former self in recent months. Benteke hit the net just three times last season and his dismal run of form shows no sign of ending.
The Belgian international is yet to score in four matches at the start of the current campaign, with Roy Hodgson seemingly unable to tap into the undoubted potential of his first-choice centre forward.
Speaking to Jim White on talkSPORT (27 September, 12.30pm) former Crystal Palace winger John Salako has suggested that Benteke might be better off moving away from Selhurst Park to get his career back on track.
“They’ve got to keep playing to his strengths, he looks like he’s back to his best in the air. But because of the system they play he’s not getting that service where he wants it, coming onto the ball and getting goals,” said Salako, who made over 200 league appearances for the Eagles between 1989 and 1995.
“He just needs a couple of goals, it must be destroying his confidence. Usually you have to move clubs and get a fresh start.”
Salako has also questioned whether the former Aston Villa and Liverpool target man has the character or the motivation to put his horror run behind him.
“When I look at Benteke, I don’t think he’s got that desire,” he added. “You watch him sometimes and he’s coming off and you think ‘does it mean enough?’.”
The Sun claimed back in March that Palace were happy to let Benteke move to China amid interest from the Far East. And, should the opportunity arise again in the New Year, a parting off the ways might be best for all parties.
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