At the beginning of this season, both Christian Benteke and Luis Suarez were subjected to intense transfer speculation, everyone and anyone presumed they both would leave their respected clubs for new horizons before the transfer window slammed shut. However, on the August 31st, both remained at their clubs, probably because their suitors couldn’t stump up enough cash. Well, that or they were both truly gracious and loyal servants.
In terms of comparison beyond the pursuit of both men by other clubs, there appears to be very little in common in the time that has followed. Suarez has thrived since the speculation, enjoying arguably the best spell of his career, form that could see him as a future winner of the coveted Ballon D’or. However, at Aston Villa, Benteke has struggled to recapture anything near the form that earned him rave reviews from the football community last season.
In terms of goal scoring, Suarez currently has 17 in the league, whilst Benteke has the grand tally of four. To put that in context, Marouane Chamakh also has four goals this season. You remember Chamakh, right? The one who was the butt of many jokes at Arsenal, leaving for Crystal Palace to find first team football. What’s that? You don’t remember him? Don’t worry, you wouldn’t be the first to forget.
Getting back to Benteke, many will say “But… but… Benteke was injured! He couldn’t be expected to score that many given his absence!”. However, we should also remember that Suarez was also out, albeit through suspension, but the Uruguayan’s six games on the sidelines make his tally so far even more impressive.
Perhaps Suarez simply has more hunger – he does like to bite people after all – but what gives? Sure, Suarez is afforded the luxury of playing in a better team, but it isn’t just that – Liverpool’s number 7 is working harder, playing better and making Benteke look like an also-ran.
If we’re honest, I think Suarez did want a move away in the summer, just like Benteke did, but since then Suarez has played the game with a big smile splashed right across his face. Over at Villa Park, Benteke rarely seems to be smiling whilst playing for Villa, giving the fans even less to smile about.
Experts will have us believe that confidence – something one could say Suarez has in abundance – is the be all and end all on a football pitch, but I strongly disagree. For me, it’s all about attitude and hunger – the footballing type that is, not the Tomas Brolin pie-eating type hunger.
In my opinion, Benteke has sulked and moaned through games this season, drawing comparisons to the greatest sulk of them all, Nicolas Anelka. Whilst Benteke may not end up with a title as enduring as “Le Sulk”, the summer sounded very much like Anelka’s previous form, with indications Benteke could becoming a similar player , one who could have spent more time with defenders in his pocket rather than the money he has ended up with seeking moves.
In conclusion, I accept Benteke is recovering from an injury, but I’ve also seen people operating on crutches cover more ground than he has done lately. Surely, it is time for a change in attitude. What do you think? Can our talisman recover his form, or is his departure a simple case of when and not if?
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