By Kshitij Sharma
D.C. United suddenly acquired a striker who had previously played for Crystal Palace and Liverpool. No one anticipated the Belgian striker's transfer to the MLS; thus, it came as a complete surprise. Many believed Benteke had a couple more seasons to provide the Premier League. When the sale of Benteke was made public, it became clear that Wayne Rooney had a significant influence.
With the addition of Benteke, Rooney's midseason makeover has continued. In the past two weeks, DCU has added goalkeeper David Ochoa, midfielder Ravel Morrison, attacker Miguel Berry, and midfielder Victor Palsson.
Benteke joined D.C. United on a 2-and-a-half-year deal with an option to extend one more year. He played for the East London club in 177 league and cup games and scored 37 goals in 6 seasons.
He joined Aston Villa after moving to the Premier League from Genk and then played for Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp. With Villa, where he had his most productive three seasons, he scored 49 goals in 101 games.
Benteke has played 45 times for Belgium and has scored 18 goals. He competed for teams in the Euro 2016 and Euro 2020 tournaments.
In the summer of 2012, he moved from Genk, back in Belgium, to Aston Villa at 21. Many Villa fans thought of him as a youthful centre-forward with technical ability, aerial menace, explosive pace, and a superb eye for goal.
The best teams in Europe began scouting him as soon as he joined Villa and were frequently spotted at Villa Park to watch the young player play. In his first season with Villa, he broke Dwight Yorke’s record (17 goals) by scoring 19 goals in a season.
He finished his debut season with more Premier League goals than just Luis Suarez (Liverpool), Gareth Bale (Tottenham), and Robin van Persie (title-bound Manchester United).
Liverpool would acquire him in the summer of the 2015–16 season. Benteke was a Rodgers acquisition, and after his contract expired in October 2015, Jurgen Klopp took over.
Benteke, who was always going to be a victim of his circumstances, had the terrible timing of moving to Anfield during the same summer as Roberto Firmino. Firmino was Klopp's first-choice striker, and the Belgian gradually found himself on the bench since the German manager usually favours players with a passion to drive and pressurise the defence.
He needed to transfer to a new club to have more playing opportunities, and Crystal Palace came in with a club-record cost.
The second-most costly acquisition in Palace's history was Benteke. When he joined Palace, Sam Allardyce liked him right away. He produced around a third of Palace's 50 league goals during his rookie campaign.
Soon after, he began to experience injury problems and was unable to return to the starting line-up frequently enough to benefit Palace. He faced difficulties when Palace added extra strikers, which knocked him down the line-up.
Several teams, primarily European teams, sought to recruit him last season, but Palace wanted Benteke to remain as a key player on the team.
He now has new difficulties after coming to the MLS. He possesses the athletic prowess necessary to succeed at DC United. Additionally, Rooney is aware of his position, which will strengthen the manager's support for him in reviving his career.
Benteke still possesses the intelligence to perform at a high level, the finishing ability, and the motivation to keep evolving and becoming better as his environment changes. The only thing that matters in this situation is how he can stay healthy and available for DC United.
Lionel Messi’s agent refutes claims of Inter Miami stake purchase and a potential move
LAFC 2 – 1 Seattle Sounders – Bale and Chiellini Win on Home Debut for the Black and Gold
Summer 2022: A summer of the overhaul for Tottenham that should send fans, and opposition frenetic
How Man City could line up Erling Haaland and Kalvin Phillips with their current squad
An active transfer window to fire Sparta Rotterdam up on the Eredivisie table
Barcelona have made a significant stride forward with the signing of Jules Kounde
Chelsea Eyeing Villareal defender Pau Torres for a £50m Move: Good choice for Tuchel?
From Haaland’s double score to Ten Hag’s debut defeat- Here’s all from the first week of Premier League
Alex Telles ‘didn’t think twice’ before leaving Man United and joining Sevilla FC
Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid join race for RB Salzburg’s Benjamin Sesko
Nottingham Forest’s promotion, Arsenal’s win, Aston Villa’s defeat- all from the first week of Premier League
Sevilla fc winger Oussama Idrissi returns to dutch league for another season
Manchester City, Arsenal, and Aston Villa win big in the second week of the Premier League
From Fulham’s win to Tuchel and Conte’s public feud- all the drama from the second week of Premier League 2022
Grand Prix Badminton League 2022: Sharks & Bulls score thrilling wins, face-off with Wolves & Falcons confirmed
How is SL Benfica Academy so successful at producing and developing young talent
Why Brandon Vázquez should be in the USMNT squad for the World Cup in Qatar this winter
Sebastian Driussi, the striker who lifted Austin FC to unthinkable heights
Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City- big names that disappointed in the third week of the Premier League
Spurs, Crystal Palace, and Fulham win big in the third week of the Premier League
Real Salt Lake breaking new ground with their purchase of 18-year-old USYNT playmaker Diego Luna
LAFC midfielder José Cifuentes: Transfer target for Premier League's Brighton
Haaland scores a hat-trick; Liverpool thrash Bournemouth 9-0: All from the fourth week of Premier League
Punk-Moxley set for a rematch to claim AEW World Championship: AEW Dynamite Recap
Chelsea, Crystal Palace, and Aston Villa fail to impress in the fourth week of the Premier League
Anthony Gordon: Merseyside’s latest boy wonder on the verge of a breakthrough
City Win Big, Liverpool Squeak Through And Arsenal Win Again In Match Week Five Of The Premier League
Jesus Ferreira-Alan Velasco-Paul Arriola: Best attacking trio in the MLS?
DP Asia Cup 2022 Review- Pakistan vs Hong Kong: Pak wins big against Hong Kong
Manchester United, Chelsea, and Brentford win in the sixth week of the Premier League
Arsenal, Fulham, Leicester, and Southampton fail to impress in the sixth week of the Premier League
Carlos Alcaraz becomes the youngest US Open Champion after defeating Casper Ruud in the finale
Denis Bouanga: Will LAFC’s latest acquisition solidify the MLS Cup title for the team?
Aaron Hickey: The Golden Boy Nominee Ready To Light Up The Premier League
Brennan Johnson: The next superstar striker with the potential to play for big clubs
EPL Review: Haaland at it again, A sigh of relief for Gerrard, and Chaos at the City Ground
Comments