David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
The news that Christian Benteke has signed a new contract with Aston Villa has been strongly overshadowed by the various high-profile transfers. It hasn’t been stressed enough just how important this is for Villa.
Benteke found the net 19 times for Villa last season. This is a team that struggled for the majority of the campaign. Clubs with higher ambitions had notably been interested in the Belgian, but Paul Lambert‘s achievement in convincing the striker to stay at Villa could prove very beneficial.
They have already added plenty of new talents to their squad for next season but Benteke is the one player who really stands apart from the rest; he the one who can change things and be relied on. Villa can now have confidence going into next season that they have one of Europe’s top young strikers ready to perform after an initial first season that went impressively well.
Benteke has the style and physique that is made for the modern Premier League. Lambert has assurance now that they have a very adequate man leading the line. It may well prove to be the thing that fires them up the table next season, after ending so strongly. Without Benteke, you would certainly admit that Villa would be lacking anything that really keeps the opposition cautious.
If Villa can have a good season next, then the four years that Benteke has left contracted to the club may attract bigger and better players to the club — obviously depending on other more materialistic matters. The contract will also surely stop Benteke of dreaming of pastures new, at least for now, with his mind firmly set on the job in hand in Birmingham.
Contract wise, Villa have had a great summer with Matthew Lowton, Ciaran Clark, Nathan Baker, Ashley Westwood, Andi Weimann and Brad Guzan all committing to remain at the club. Lambert is building a solid, ambitious young core and it could prove very handy in the long run.
Stowe Gregory is an English featured Soccer and Sports writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him or tweet on Twitter @stowegregory. Or add to circles on Google +
