Is Christian Benteke the missing link for Spurs?
When Aston Villa splashed out a reported £7m on Christian Benteke this summer, many a football fan were scratching their head as to what could only have been perceived as ‘a massive gamble’. However, gambles as substantial as this one often pay off and while Villa hover perilously over the relegation zone, Benteke has proved to be an unmitigated success.
In a dreary season for the Midlands side, the young Belgian has become a focal point to Villa, keeping Darren Bent out of the starting XI and the stats show why – 11 goals and four assists in 23 Premier League games, a stat made all the more impressive considering Villa have scored just 25 times in England’s top tier this season.
Interest from across the continent was to be expected and it appears Tottenham Hotspur are leading the chase to sign the striker. While reports of a January were dumbfounded considering Benteke has played for two different teams already this season, the north London side are believed to have been keeping tabs on the youngster for some time now.
It’s fair to say that Spurs need a striker. Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor are the club’s only two recognised frontmen at present, and with the former injured and latter struggling for form and consistency; missing out on Leandro Damiao could well be the difference between Champions League and Europa League football next season.
But is Benteke the answer? His performances suggest so. Capable of bringing others into play and boasting the powerful physique to lead the frontline on his lonesome, the 22-year-old could be the man to become Spurs’ primary targetman for years to come.
His goals are a testament to his capabilities, considering Villa are hardly the most creative of Premier League outfits, and with the likes of Gareth Bale, Lewis Holtby and Aaron Lennon in support of him; Benteke could be exactly the striker the north London side need to push from top four finishers to Premier League contenders.
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