Crystal Palace host West Ham United this weekend.
West Ham United Vice Chairman Karren Brady
West Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady believes striker Christian Benteke is a born hero for Crystal Palace following his impressive performances at Selhurst Park, The Sun report.
The Hammers were heavily linked with a move for Benteke in the summer (the Mirror), however the Belgium international ultimately traded Liverpool for West Ham’s London rivals Crystal Palace.
The striker never really got to grips at Liverpool, yet Palace’s direct wing play certainly plays to his strengths and so far this season Benteke has proven his worth with three goals in five appearances.
On Saturday the Eagles ace will line up against West Ham, and Hammers vice-chairman Brady sees him as a bull of a striker and one who has been providing the penalty-area power Palace dearly craved.
Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke
“There’s no one like a goal-happy striker to fill the stands. And Crystal Palace have bought theirs in Christian Benteke, a Belgian bull of a striker who cost them £27million from Liverpool,” Brady told The Sun.
“He’s a born hero for Palace, though, providing just the penalty-area power manager Alan Pardew has been praying for at club after club.”
“We’ve been having our little problems in defence and, no doubt, they’ll be tested by you-know-who at an altitude of 6-10ft at Selhurst Park.”
Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke heads at goal
Benteke has always possessed ability in the penalty area, yet Liverpool simply didn’t play to his strengths while Palace on the other hand like to get the ball wide and put defenders under pressure via crosses.
West Ham have defended poorly this season, and they will need big improvements on Saturday of they plan on stopping Benteke and Palace’s key wide men Andros Townsend and Wilfried Zaha.
The Hammers may rue missing out on the striker, with fellow forward Simone Zaza struggling to make an impact in East London while Andre Ayew remains out of action with injury.
Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke and James Tomkins celebrate at full time
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