Christian Benteke has been a nightmare for the last season and a half with just three Premier League goals for Crystal Palace since 2016/17.
The fact that Crystal Palace have looked a much better side since Christian Benteke was ruled out with injury doesn’t exactly reflect brilliantly on the out-of-sorts striker.
Benteke’s dramatic loss of form has been a constant talking point in and around Selhurst Park and with good reason. The former Liverpool target man has scored three goals in 35 Premier League games since the start of last season, making a mockery of his £27 million price-tag.
But while Palace have hardly been flying in Benteke’s absence, former club chairman Simon Jordan believes Roy Hodgson is better off with his under-performing Belgian on the sidelines until the New Year.
“Obviously Benteke’s been a disappointment. He was a disappointment at Liverpool, he’s that sort of player,” Jordan told Alan Brazil’s Sports Breakfast on talkSPORT (7 December, 9.50am).
“I think Benteke thinks Palace is probably a level beneath where he thinks he should be (though) he’s absolutely not showing it.
“I think Palace are a better side without Benteke in it, he makes them play a certain way. I think he hides. Palace are better without him.”
Goals have still been in short supply for Crystal Palace side this season and they followed up their impressive 2-0 outclassing of Burnley with a dreadful 3-1 reverse away at arch rivals Brighton and Hove Albion in midweek.
And with Jordan Ayew and Alexander Sorloth failing to provide a reliable source of goals, a new striker should be top of Hodgson’s wish-list with the January transfer window set to open in a few weeks’ time.
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