ASTON VILLA ARE ready to play hardball in a bid to hold on to striker Christian Benteke.
Villa confirmed last night that the Belgian international has handed in a transfer request with Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea leading the chase for his signature.
Benteke, 22, did not travel to Germany for the squad’s pre-season camp but Villa said that he had already been granted extra time off until 18 July.
The striker scored 23 goals in his first Premier League season after moving to the Midlands from Belgian club Genk on a four-year contract.
“[Christian] was reminded that there are three years remaining on his contract, we consider him to be a Villa player and expect that he will be with us for the 2013-14 season”, a statement issued by Villa last night read.
Having received his transfer request, we have also informed him that should we receive an offer within an appropriate timeframe during pre-season which meets our valuation we would act upon it. But he will remain a Villa player should this not happen.
Manager Paul Lambert said: “While we’re hugely disappointed that Christian has put in a transfer request, it’s important that people appreciate we are trying to build something strong and vibrant here at the club, something this club demands and stands for, and we want Christian to be part of that.”
Load of twaddle if he is so good play him more. Total lip service
@Seanie Bourke: it’s called man management ya cl0wn
@Paul Jennings: it’s not man management. he gets game time here and there because In klopps eyes the other 4 are better then him. he has scored some v important goals for Liverpool but will eventually get fed up and will want more active game time and move on.
@Macca1986: precisely the definition of man management, he gets used when needed because there are better players ahead of him. But he gets credit when he gets in and delivers, so he stays and is a useful squad member when called upon….
@Macca1986: it’s total man management he is needed as back up so when he playes well u praise in to keep him happy all managers do it
@Paul Jennings: hate to say it but Ur the c!own,big time
@Paul Jennings: no bucko it not . He comes out and says” im shocked no one came in for him in d summer’ thats as good as saying he can go. But in the other breath he is coming out about his next manager total cr ap very much like your comment to me
@Seanie Bourke: That’s not man management. He is encouraging him to go by saying he needs to get more game time. Klopp is clearly desperate to sell him
@Seanie Bourke: it’s OK for us to comment that’s why klopp is the manager and a good 1 at that too
@Seanie Bourke: it’s the truth. Origi isn’t as good as the other 4 so doesn’t play that often. Klopp is showing respect by saying he deserves to play more in general… It just won’t be at Liverpool.
@Paul Jennings: No, it’s called ” talking out of the two sides of his mouth”. B…….t talk.
@Mickety Dee: Everton will buy him for £50million, and that will be the last we hear of him…
This is Divock Origi’s World and we’re just living in it
He’s welcome at Elland Road at any stage, quality player.
Another runners-up medal for the lad before he leaves. 7 minutes they spent on top and yet they think its May
@Graham Ryall: yes another runners up medal to add to the prem league one, the champs league one, the super cup one and the fifa World Cup ones that he won with LFC. Sorry those ones aren’t runners up ones. Not a bad haul at LFC. And you are right the seasons far from over but if you think LFC aren’t contenders then maybe stick a few quid on Newcastle to top the prem league come end of season! Money for jam son.
@Graham Ryall: only a United w@nk would say thay
@Graham Ryall: Man u supporter I guess
@Graham Ryall: what a t00ser!go and get an education
@Graham Ryall: your whinging and tears bring me joy. Understandable though, given that we cleared out your own stadium for yas. Lol.
Hes another Solksjaer only not as good and he(Ole) was quite happy being a squad player…
If you’re picking up handy money and winning Medals then you’re more than likely going to stay put.. Origi is exactly that
@Darren: bit of a premature comparison
@Johnny Mads: how he’s hardly anywhere near Oles level now??
@Johnny Mads: it’s a fine comparison in terms of their value to a team. Impact subs. Very important CL goals. I don’t think Ole get half the plaudits he gets from utd fans without the 99 final. Divock had a very similar season in CL.
@Darren: I’d say it’s a safe bet that Origi is a better manager than Ole!
@Max Bailey: bit of a premature comparison there, Ole done what he had to do and steadied the Ship, just like some relationships it ran its course. Origi is almost a super sub but he’s a bit to go yet to get near Oles level for scoring goals off the Bench and just like Ole makes very little difference when he actually starts a game..
That is some statement from that Manager — talking out of both sides of his mouth . ” one of the best strikers I ever seen”" — but he cannot get into the team, only now and again. What kind of nonsense is he talking???.
@Eugene Comaskey: What Klopp actually said was he’s one of the best ‘finishers’ not ‘striker’…two very different things. And Origi can’t get into the team because there’s four of the best strikers in the world ahead of him, pretty simple really.