The Disappointments Of The EPL Season

#2 Christian Benteke

Christian Benteke must be regretting the fact that he signed a contract extension that keeps him at Aston Villa until 2017. If any of the summer rumors were to be believed, many top clubs such as Chelsea and Arsenal were interested in signing the Belgian.

Last season, Benteke was to Aston Villa what Gareth Bale was to Tottenham. He single handedly kept them in Premier League with his 19 goals. His bullish play, pace and his age got other clubs interested in him, as they envisioned what he could do with a team of significant quality after what he did with Aston Villa.

This season has been a completely different story. He seemed to have started where he had left off with 2 goals against Arsenal in the opening match and 1 against Chelsea in the first Gameweek of the season. He scored two more goals in all competitions before picking up an injury which forced him to miss 3 games. Since his return he has found the back of the net only 5 times. Considering the quality of Benteke, it is rather disappointing.

His drop in form could be because of the niggling injuries he has suffered throughout the season, but it is more likely the Aston Villa squad that he has to carry on his shoulders. Goals for Aston Villa seem to come through Benteke or nearly none at all, which puts an enormous amount pressure on the young lad to perform in every match. It would be worth seeing whether he decides to continue at Aston Villa despite signing the new contract.

Stats of the 2013/14 season (up to Gameweek 30): 9 goals 2 assists