27 Jun 2015 09:34:56
I think (actually I know) I'm in the minority here but I actually think Benteke would be an ideal signing - IF there is a change of style to accommodate him.
49 goals in 99 games for a team that's fought relgation is a great return. Having Firminho and Coutinho supplying him I'm confident he'd notch 25 goals in all comps every year. He's also a different option to Sturridge in games against the likes of Stoke where you need a bit of physicality.
I'm all for playing like Barca but you need the right players to do it - if you haven't then you need to find a different formula to win games
27 Jun 2015 09:54:43
I'm also a bit torn on benteke, I actually think he better than people give him credit for. I think he amazing in the air & has a really good scoring record at a struggling villa side, but with the likes of coutinho lallana & now firmino I think we need a striker that plays on the shoulder who benefits frm clever through balls to split the opposition defences. I just think it would unfortunately prove to be a costly mistake. If he did sign tho he would get my backing
27 Jun 2015 10:07:07
He's just not top quality. He really isn't a great player. He's like an Emile Heskey. He's a brute physically, but he doesn't put himself about enough and plays for 60 minutes in half the games a season.
He lacks skill
He lacks motivation
He lacks consistency.
I would not want to be signing him when we already have Mario. Benteke is like Mario but with less skill. Mario has struggled to score because we don't play to his strengths. What's the point in paying big money for someone of similar ilk?
27 Jun 2015 10:10:38
I think he is too static as a striker and he would become another Andy Carroll target man. The season in which we finished second, we had two 'busy' strikers in Suarez and Sturridge, which suited our style of play.
27 Jun 2015 10:18:22
We have a striker who plays on the shoulder in Sturridge? People also seem to think Benteke can only score goals from crosses into the box. That's clearly not the case. I like that he smashes the ball into the net much like Shearer did.
27 Jun 2015 10:28:59
I think if we play like Southampton last year or bielsas Bilbao then benteke would he great but right now its got to be a big no.
Its no critism of Rodgers he has his own way of working and gets the best from different type of players, you saw the catastrophe last year when trying to get the team playing with a big man, is never going to work with benteke and Rodgers. Throw whatever stats you want I could care less if benteke was scoring 60 a season and was going for 1 million quid if he doesn't suit us its doesn't make him a bad player nor Rodgers a bad manager.
27 Jun 2015 10:30:58
Just look at the cup, maybe one of the biggest games in his club career, and mertersacker had him in his pocket
27 Jun 2015 11:06:25
Just reread and saw if firmino and coutinho supply him, it will be 25 goals a season. Do you watch any of those players?
They are most probably the worst suited for each other you could get.
27 Jun 2015 11:10:04
Mickie yeah I get what you sayin about we already have a striker who plays on the shoulder but my argument is 2 folds really.
A) we have to try get studge fit for more than a few games at a time without niggles
B) when we achieve that with the amount of wingers number 10s we have (ibe, markovic, lallana coutinho & firmino) do you think Rodgers will play with a 2 man strike force??I've can't see it myself like.
27 Jun 2015 12:13:31
Whilst I don't think benteke is right for us he does put the fear of God into defenders. He does cause problems in the air but is also pretty good on the ground. We certainly need someone that can worry defenders, you only have to look at the type of goals he scored against us to see what he's capable of. He would be very expensive but played in the right way he will score more than any of our current strikers bar sturridge.Bacca I would certainly prefer, benteke not ideal but if he signs I'll get behind the lad.(and hope we start crossing the ball!)
27 Jun 2015 13:00:07
Knew my opinion would differ which is what I love about football - every opinion counts.
Just hope that whomever it is we sign hits the ground running and gets the crowd behind them by scoring goals.
27 Jun 2015 13:03:01
If Mertesacker who is slower than a slug, is able to keep Benteke in his pocket then that tells you all you need to know about him, his mentality and lack of ability. Why get a Benteke who is poor and doesn't fit our system instead of a Carlos Bacca who may be older BUT better ability, mentality, proven winner and won the EL for his club with a brace while Benteke couldn't be arsed to even try in the FA Cup final?
27 Jun 2015 13:19:09
Definitely agree about the intimation factor regarding Benteke. And because of his size, He is the type of player who could easily distract an entire back four. I'd only take him for half of what Villa are asking though.