Christian Benteke had a very poor first season at Liverpool, as the Belgian was unable to find his footing at Anfield. The Belgian had been just a shadow of what he was at Aston Villa and struggled throughout the season to become a regular in the first team. Benteke was signed by Brendan Rodgers at the beginning of the previous season after he ended the 2014-15 season on a high note for Aston Villa.
Benteke faced stiff competition for a role as Liverpool’s striker from Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi. Both of them were in much better form than Benteke and he lost his place to them and was able to made 14 appearances for Liverpool last season in the Premier League. Benteke’s style of play does not suit Klopp’s ideology and he will never be able to make it to the first team on a regular basis. Benteke needs to make a move this summer if he wants to find his form back.
Benteke has been heavily linked with West Ham, but would presumably walk to Stamford Bridge to line up in Antonio Conte’s team. Chelsea are looking to sign Romelu Lukaku, but he will cost them around 65 million euros and Chelsea will not shell out so much cash. The London club looks at Benteke as a cheaper alternative to his Belgian compatriot. And it’s fair to say that Benteke would cost them much less than Lukaku, who is being sought after by PSG and Juventus.
Benteke has shown at Aston Villa that he is a 20-goal-a-season striker, if provided the right services. Benteke is not a very mobile striker and prefers the ball at his head than his feet. At Liverpool, Benteke could never fit into Klopp’s high pressing strategy and so he couldn’t become a regular first team member.
Benteke has almost no future at Liverpool and will need to make a move this summer. A move to Chelsea would mean a big chance for the towering Belgian to prove himself again. If Benteke will join Chelsea, he will have to give every bit of himself to make it to the first team regularly. Leaving Liverpool seems to be a better option for Benteke as he will not get proper game time at the club. Chelsea could well be the club where he can revive his career.