Christian Benteke

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

32.5m for a backup striker (second or third choice) is already not worth it.

I'm not so sure about that. It is a bit of an overpayment but it does also keep Benteke away from our rivals while still giving us a great deal of tactical flexibility.

Costa, Benteke, Remy is an incredible strike force

[Tomo 21,733]

I'm not so sure about that. It is a bit of an overpayment but it does also keep Benteke away from our rivals while still giving us a great deal of tactical flexibility.

Costa, Benteke, Remy is an incredible strike force

Also to expand further, if there's one area Jose has always been up for rotating a lot it's the strike position.

He did it with Drogba and Gudjohnsen then Drogba and Crespo aswell as Benzema and Higuain very very effectively.

[Jase 43,479]

I'm not so sure about that. It is a bit of an overpayment but it does also keep Benteke away from our rivals while still giving us a great deal of tactical flexibility.

Costa, Benteke, Remy is an incredible strike force

I would rather us not spend 32m+ for a striker that won't be first choice for us. Better off using at least half of that amount to strengthen other areas that need serious reinforcing.

Also to expand further, if there's one area Jose has always been up for rotating a lot it's the strike position.

He did it with Drogba and Gudjohnsen then Drogba and Crespo aswell as Benzema and Higuain very very effectively.

But on the other hand, he didn't really do much of that this season, did he? Stuck with Costa most of the time despite his hamstring problem. Only used Remy and/or Drogba when Costa is totally out injured.

[Tomo 21,733]

I would rather us not spend 32m+ for a striker that won't be first choice for us. Better off using at least half of that amount to strengthen other areas that need serious reinforcing.

But on the other hand, he didn't really do much of that this season, did he? Stuck with Costa most of the time despite his hamstring problem. Only used Remy and/or Drogba when Costa is totally out injured.

I guess he just simply doesn't rate Remy on the level or as an equal to Costa like he did with the previous pair's I mentioned.

After all as much as he appreciates Remys value in the squad now, he clearly wasn't a planned signing and was initially signed because we needed a cheap striker with decent qualities on short notice as Fernando finally took the hint, if Blondie done one in June chances are we would have signed someone else.

[Jase 43,479]

I guess he just simply doesn't rate Remy on the level or as an equal to Costa like he did with the previous pair's I mentioned.

Not sure if that's the case considering his tendency not to rotate in other areas as well, sticking with the same players and flogging them to death.

After all as much as he appreciates Remys value in the squad now, he clearly wasn't a planned signing and was initially signed because we needed a cheap striker with decent qualities on short notice as Fernando finally took the hint, if Blondie done one in June chances are we would have signed someone else.

You have no way of telling that. If we can get a good quality striker as backup for just over 10m, why would you go and spend more than that to buy someone to be second/third choice? Besides, who could we have gotten for a decent price had Flopres gone earlier than he did?

[the wes 7,212]

hope benteke scores a hat-trick against them arsenal cunts today

[Tomo 21,733]

Not sure if that's the case considering his tendency not to rotate in other areas as well, sticking with the same players and flogging them to death.

You have no way of telling that. If we can get a good quality striker as backup for just over 10m, why would you go and spend more than that to buy someone to be second/third choice? Besides, who could we have gotten for a decent price had Flopres gone earlier than he did?

God knows but there would have been more time to find who Jose wanted.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

No one picked this up?

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9876887/eden-hazard-keen-for-aston-villas-christian-benteke-to-join-chelsea

[Viper22 2,418]

No one picked this up?

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9876887/eden-hazard-keen-for-aston-villas-christian-benteke-to-join-chelsea

Saw it mentioned in the Summer Transfer Targets.

Not sure what to think of it. Bentekkers is obviously a good player but i'm not sure he'll be happy to be 3rd choice and I don't want us to spend too much on a 3rd choice ST...

EDIT: I guess he does offer something different to Diego and definitely Remy though.... Just don't know whether I like the idea or not... Very 50/50 on it.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

Saw it mentioned in the Summer Transfer Targets.

Not sure what to think of it. Bentekkers is obviously a good player but i'm not sure he'll be happy to be 3rd choice and I don't want us to spend too much on a 3rd choice ST...

EDIT: I guess he does offer something different to Diego and definitely Remy though.... Just don't know whether I like the idea or not... Very 50/50 on it.

If we add Benteke I would imagine that bumps Remy back to 3rd. Then again I wouldn't even call it 2nd-3rd choice the more likely case would be we use the player who gives the game what it needs. If we need speed and poaching it will likely be Remy, if we need a target and an aerial presence its likely Benteke

[Viper22 2,418]

If we add Benteke I would imagine that bumps Remy back to 3rd. Then again I wouldn't even call it 2nd-3rd choice the more likely case would be we use the player who gives the game what it needs. If we need speed and poaching it will likely be Remy, if we need a target and an aerial presence its likely Benteke

All true. Depends on the price though I guess. I'd much rather we spent money on a world class RW, a good backup GK if Cech is leaving and a backup for Matic though. They're more pressing concerns.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

All true. Depends on the price though I guess. I'd much rather we spent money on a world class RW, a good backup GK if Cech is leaving and a backup for Matic though. They're more pressing concerns.

I'm not sure there are any world class RW's available.

I'd take Christian but not for his buyout price.

[Viper22 2,418]

I'm not sure there are any world class RW's available.

I'd take Christian but not for his buyout price.

Reus might be seeing as BVB finished lower than expected and Klopp is off.

Di Maria might be gettable from Man Utd seeing as he had a poor first season there and it sounds like Utd are getting twitchy.

Griezmann has been linked many times with the club. No smoke without fire and all that.

There's at least 3 options that I reckon would be available. Even if they all aren't though, then we could aim for a world class CAM/CM instead and keep Willian at RW.

Just think that with Bamford already at the club, Falcao on loan and Austin/Ings cheap/free and wanting to return to the PL a 3rd choice striker isn't a huge priority ATM.

That's just me though, I'll trust Jose and Emenalo whoever they choose. They rarely lead us wrong.

[Polo7 3,496]

Ive said it before, he is just like Ba. I dont mean their type of football or the colour of their skin. These players need to play week in week out, they are form strikers. As soon as they miss a game it takes some time to hit their best. We are lucky with Remy because he isnt like that.

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

Aston Villa have received no bids for Christian Benteke. He has £32.5m buyout clause. Villa want to extend (via @SkySportsAmy) #AVFC

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

Sky sources: Benteke will not sign new contract with Aston Villa. #AVFC

[LukakutoStamford 779]

Feel a bit bad for Villa because they're in a bit of a bind. However, this should lower the price a bit and perhaps Chelsea can grab him for 25

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

Exclusive - Manchester United make enquiry about Aston Villa's Christian Benteke (talkSPORT) #MUFC #AVFC