Christian Benteke has not played a game for the Belgian Red Devils since 2022. In that time he has moved to the MLS where he has been prolific, scoring 49 goals in 100 games for DC United. As reported by HLN, the former Crystal Palace, Liverpool and Aston Villa striker believes he should have received call ups in that time. Benteke said โI honestly donโt know why Iโm not being called upโ.
With Lukaku being injured, Benteke feels like his profile would be a better replacement than most. Yet at the age of 34, the likelihood of him getting back into the Red Devils side is highly unlikely. Benteke said โPerhaps itโs because of the coachโs choices and the type of players he prefers. Thatโs the only explanation I can give, because if we look at it purely from a football perspective, I have every right to claim selection. But on the other hand, football is also a sport where public opinion matters a lotโ.
Public opinion is probably referring to his career since leaving Aston Villa. His first few seasons in the Premier League after leaving Genk in the Belgian Pro League were great as he hit double figures three years in a row. Bentekeโs first year in England saw him score 23 goals in 39 games for Aston Villa, and he left the side after three years and 49 goals. He joined Liverpool but was unable to replicate the success he had previously had. Benteke only played one season for Liverpool, scoring 10 goals in 42 games. He then joined Palace, scoring 37 goals in 177 games over six season. Yet, like at Liverpool, he never quite looked like the player he had been with Aston Villa.
In 2022 he left England for DC United, a move which marked the end of his international career. Benteke has played 45 games for the Belgian Red Devils, scoring 18 goals. It looks highly unlikely that Benteke will be adding to those 18.
GBeNeFNย |ย Ben Jackson
