Following the Belgian striker’s decision to sign a contract extensions, Aston Villa are feeling rejuvenated ahead of a new season with fresh hopes.
In the world of football where loyalty runs thin and morality is at an all-time low, it is no more a surprise if a star player of one club feels the urge to move to another club where he could earn and win more. It does not really matter if it is the right decision or not because lets be fair.
Football is a business and at the end of the day, a professional player will always want to reach loftier heights even if he has to burn bridges along the way.
However, in such a world, the situation of Christian Benteke is like a breath of fresh air. The Belgian striker arrived at Aston Villa from Racing Genk as a relatively unknown quantity. But lo and behold, the striker turned out to be a gem of a signing by Paul Lambert as he scored 19 goals in his first season in the Premier League and it was his goals that made sure that the Villans did not suffer from relegation.
Earlier this summer, the striker had handed in a transfer request as the likes of Tottenham and others hovered above. However, it took just one meeting with his manager to convince the 22-year-old that he is at the right place (for now maybe) as the Zaire-born striker signed an extension to his contract.
It is quite a pleasant surprise to see a player with so much talent make such a bold U-turn. For now, Aston Villa fans can enjoy watching their new star lit alight the stage in England for the next year or so. The decision made by the powerful striker is bound to galvanise a side that flirted with relegation all season long last time around and now that their main man is happy with what he has, Paul Lambert knows that he might not have to deal with a malcontent player from next season.
Last season, Lambert showed that he will never be daunted at the prospect of marginalising senior figures at the club. Indeed, Darren Bent, Shay Given, Alan Hutton and Stephen Ireland were more or less accustomed to the bench last season as a younger and more eager group of players took the field. That was definitely a bold move, a move that could have had drastic consequences.
However, the gamble paid off as a young Aston Villa side, led by Christian Benteke, starting grinding out results in the business end of the season and escaped from relegation. The vibrant and exuberant group of youngster has now proven that it can take the club to a better future.
However, it should be noted that Benteke cannot alone conquer England for his side and the club really needs to make sure that the new signings coming in, are value for the money. Moreover, with the likes of Sunderland, West Ham and West Brom spending a lot of money to recruit new players, Lambert needs to make sure that Benteke does not come to realise that he made a wrong decision during any part of next season if the going gets tough.
Football is a business and at the end of the day, a professional player will always want to reach loftier heights even if he has to burn bridges along the way.
However, in such a world, the situation of Christian Benteke is like a breath of fresh air. The Belgian striker arrived at Aston Villa from Racing Genk as a relatively unknown quantity. But lo and behold, the striker turned out to be a gem of a signing by Paul Lambert as he scored 19 goals in his first season in the Premier League and it was his goals that made sure that the Villans did not suffer from relegation.
Earlier this summer, the striker had handed in a transfer request as the likes of Tottenham and others hovered above. However, it took just one meeting with his manager to convince the 22-year-old that he is at the right place (for now maybe) as the Zaire-born striker signed an extension to his contract.
It is quite a pleasant surprise to see a player with so much talent make such a bold U-turn. For now, Aston Villa fans can enjoy watching their new star lit alight the stage in England for the next year or so. The decision made by the powerful striker is bound to galvanise a side that flirted with relegation all season long last time around and now that their main man is happy with what he has, Paul Lambert knows that he might not have to deal with a malcontent player from next season.
Last season, Lambert showed that he will never be daunted at the prospect of marginalising senior figures at the club. Indeed, Darren Bent, Shay Given, Alan Hutton and Stephen Ireland were more or less accustomed to the bench last season as a younger and more eager group of players took the field. That was definitely a bold move, a move that could have had drastic consequences.
However, the gamble paid off as a young Aston Villa side, led by Christian Benteke, starting grinding out results in the business end of the season and escaped from relegation. The vibrant and exuberant group of youngster has now proven that it can take the club to a better future.
However, it should be noted that Benteke cannot alone conquer England for his side and the club really needs to make sure that the new signings coming in, are value for the money. Moreover, with the likes of Sunderland, West Ham and West Brom spending a lot of money to recruit new players, Lambert needs to make sure that Benteke does not come to realise that he made a wrong decision during any part of next season if the going gets tough.
