So we have Benteke’s agent openly admitting he will leave.
Football is full of liars and spin so when you read the following from his agent, at least we know as the song goes ‘what we are’.
“So why not take the step up to the next level if the opportunity is there?
“At the end of the season interested clubs will talk to Villa – but it has to be right for Villa, the buying club and Christian. If all three parties are agreeable then something could happen.
“But right now his focus is on Aston Villa – and helping them stay in the Premier League. He wants to repay Paul Lambert for the faith that has been shown in him.
“He has scored a lot of goals this season and wants to give 100 per cent between now and the end of the season.
“But Villa will now ask a big price for Christian, much more than they paid for him, because Paul Lambert was the one who gave him his chance.
“I know what his ambitions are, he wants to do well in England.”
When Benteke joined us it was obvious he and his agent saw us a stepping stone to greater and better things. We had the sense to realise this and give him a chance to prove if he has what it takes to get to the top. The words above should leave no one under the illusion the agent is now touting him around. It would not surprise me that behind the scenes that Villa and the agent agreed a price at which he could leave if he does well.
That price IMHO is around £20M which in today’s market is a fair one. I guess if he keeps us up through his goals then of course this was a massive deal for Villa. However it just shows our place in the football world and especially with an owner like Lerner who in Lambert has the perfect manager to downgrade the club to just survival and pick up TV money.
At least we know that when we chant his name it is just a sign of appreciation for hopefully Benteke keeping us up.
All footballers are employees of their clubs and do not receive any further income from the club than what is shown on their P60.
They are obviously free to pursue sponsorship contracts etc but those are taxed as personal income also, the fallacy that they are all J. Bloggs sole trader is just that, a fallacy.
Every footballer wants to play at the highest level possible. Benteke’s not going to get that opportunity at Villa anytime soon, so if a Champions League club comes in for him, of course he will go. It would be a shame if he turned into another bit part player at Chelsea or Man City though, whereas if he stayed at Villa he could become a legend! First things first, we have to stay up before we can think about trying to convince our best players to stay.
To TRUE my friend sky 4 bench warmer same goes for any major CL outfit.I think if we stay up he might stay and honour some of his contract.If we stay up I don’t see us being down the bottom again.We are improving 1st team football is pivitol to any player.Benteke if he stays and we stay up will be a smart move as he is in the limelight and getting 1st team football.
I agree it’s always a gamble when lets say upgrading to another team obviously not financially but 1st team starts,if he has a dodgy game there are fellow squad members to take your place.at villa he’s become a fans favourite elsewhere he could just blend into the scenery.as we know former stars at our club who have ventured away became hero to zero in a short space of time.
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Until we are in the top 4 every season we will always be a feeder club so you might as well get used to it.. I’d love Benteke to stay but realistically we can’t compete financially and thus will always lose our better players.
They key is to build an environment/spirit/atmosphere where the bulk of players will choose to stay like Everton. And when you do end up having to sell, you pull their pants down by making them pay silly money. We’re not bad at getting big fees for our better players, the bigger problem was reinvesting it in shit players on silly wages.
If Villa have adopted the policy of young hungry players (which i believe they have) then as soon as any of these players attracts attention we will have to pay increased wages or let them go. I fear it is the latter and hence we are now a feeder club.
I find that a very impressive, surprisingly honest and impressive, statement from the agent. We should at least now be able to feel we have a young player set upon doing his best for the club whilst he is with us and not one who is going to sulk when Man C or Chelsea don’t stomp up the asking fee.
Why is it that Michu will stay at Swansea after an extended contract–because he has the desire and loyalty. We know that Benteke likes it at Villa, so fuck all the papers, and his agent and just jump into the ‘please stay Benteke’ bandwagon. we’re in the driving seat here boys, not his agent or anyone else, so if we really want to hold onto him, we just reject every single offer that comes our way. Don’t let him leave. Full stop.
Completely different scenario with Michu. Swansea are a club going places, an excellent set up from board, down to manager, players and great football philosophy. Basically the exact opposite from the continuing disaster unfolding at VP.
As for us being in the driving seat- we are not. As much as I hate it, the power is with the player and lets not forget he went on strike at Genk to get a move here. If a top 4 club comes in, it would hardly be a shock if he went on strike again. He will not be here next year and IMO neither will Weimann. Any player with ambition is running in the opposite direction of AVFC
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Yes he has done well so far this season, but he is far from the finished article and if we do stay up then the price tag will probably scare off most interested parties. Being as Belgium look likely to qualify for the World Cup, he’s probably going to want to play regularly next season to keep his place, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him stay if we are still in the league. Good return next season and a good World Cup, and we would be looking at major money.
Good morning everyone.
He will deffinately be going this summer when we go down.
On a plus note the u19′s beat Ajax tonight. Well done to them boys! Drennan will be in the first team soon.
I’m goldman.i play u17 academy .pls i need a feeder club to join .pls may i join ur feeder team?