7. Christian Benteke (from Aston Villa to Liverpool 2015/2016) – €46.5 million
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Liverpool’s Congolese-born striker was purchased from relegated Aston Villa for a princely sum. In fact, Brendan Rodgers prizing him away was probably the straw that broke the camel’s back as the Birmingham-based side dropped to the 2nd tier for the first time since 1987, scoring just 27 goals in 38 league matches. Their form was disastrous all season, picking up just 3 wins – 6 fewer than the second-worst team in the division!
Christian Benteke made a blistering start to his English career, netting 23 goals in 39 games as he formed the fulcrum of Paul Lambert’s side, despite them finishing 15th in the league (in 2012/2013). His performances attracted rave reviews as he came second in the PFA Young Player of the Year award to the mercurial Gareth Bale.
His 19 league goals remain a club record since the Premier League’s inception, and he quickly became a target for top clubs across the country. His second season was marred by injuries, but he still managed a respectable 11 goals in 28 matches. Unfortunately, his season ended early as he ruptured his Achilles tendon in April 2014.
By the end of the following season (2014/2015), he had struck 42 league goals in 89 matches for Aston Villa; almost a 1-in-2 ratio. That was quite unheard of for a team lying in the lowest reaches of the league table. Eventually, Brendan Rodgers had seen enough and shelled out €46.5 million for the man who was to head his new Suarez-less attack.
Things started excellently as he scored with against Bournemouth in his second game for Liverpool. However, Rodgers’ system failed to bring the best out of his traditional target-man, and he found difficulties adjusting to the new style he was meant to play. Moreover, other elements of Rodgers’ expensively assembled team failed to click.
One picturesque bicycle kick against Manchester United could not save his side from defeat, and they lost 3-1 at Anfield. Rodgers was sacked soon after for ex-Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp, but he again struggled to match his team’s play and was sidelined for several fixtures. Despite his omission from some key matches, he scored twice against Chelsea, as they won 3-1 away and drew 1-1 at home in the final league match.
His Liverpool career is still very much up in the air – his quality is obvious, but can he bounce back from a tough first season? 10 goals in 29 games sound decent, but he will need to better that if he is to keep a spot in Klopp’s new team.
