We at Football Transfer Tavern have been mightily impressed by Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke this season and boss Paul Lambert feels the Belgian has doubled in value since he arrived in the summer.
An £8 million move to Villa Park is looking like shrewd business by Lambert now as the 22-year-old continues to lead the line for the Premier League strugglers and has almost kept them above the relegation zone on his own.
An impressive 14 goals in his first three quarters of a season in English football is a decent return and with fellow striker Darren Bent out of favour with Lambert, the pressure has all been on Benteke.
A home game with inconsistent West Ham United tomorrow live on Sky Sports is the perfect tonic for the Belgian to continue his fine form and keep the Midlands club out of the dreaded drop zone with Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool all watching.
Lambert is proud of his bravery to snap up the physical striker in the summer and expects him to only get better in years to come.
“When the guy came into Villa, people were saying to me ’who is he and why are you going for someone from Genk?” Lambert told The Sun.
“With what he’s done, he’s a cult hero already.
“He’s only 22 and he’s got years and years ahead of him. He’s not at his peak, but what he’s done for me and for the club is fantastic.
“If someone wanted to buy Christian, they’d better have a few quid in their pocket.”
Will Benteke move to one of the Premier League big boys in the summer, and who? Let us know your thoughts below.
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