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Chelsea should consider Liverpool’s Christian Benteke as Lukaku alternative

By Rucker Haringey

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 26: Christian Benteke of Liverpool celebrates as he scores their second goal during the UEFA Europa League Group B match between Liverpool FC and FC Girondins de Bordeaux at Anfield on November 26, 2015 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 26: Christian Benteke of Liverpool celebrates as he scores their second goal during the UEFA Europa League Group B match between Liverpool FC and FC Girondins de Bordeaux at Anfield on November 26, 2015 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /
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Chelsea need to start considering strikers other than Everton’s Romelu Lukaku

Chelsea remain the favorites to end up with Everton striker Romelu Lukaku before the current transfer window is done, but it’s far from a given. As such, the Blues need to start considering alternatives to the talented Belgian. Perhaps Antonio Conte’s attention could shift to Lukaku’s countryman, Liverpool striker Christian Benteke.

It wasn’t all that long ago that Benteke was considered to be one of the top striker talents in all of England. He single-handedly propped up the Aston Villa attack and his stellar play for the Villains earned him a big money move to Liverpool.

Unfortunately for both the player and club, things haven’t worked out for Benteke at Anfield. He’s frequently looked lost on the pitch for Liverpool and he’s now completely out of favor with manager Jurgen Klopp. Both he, and striker Mario Balotelli are squarely on Liverpool’s transfer list this summer.

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Chelsea should strongly consider being the Premier League club to offer Benteke a lifeline. In many ways, he would be a perfect stylistic fit for the way Conte wants to play. He is a big, physical striker who excels in holding up play with his broad frame. His presence on the pitch allows his club’s quicker attackers to terrorize the opposition with runs into the penalty area. Benteke’s arrival could be just what Eden Hazard needs to fulfill his wish of being Chelsea’s second striker.

Of course, that all depends on Benteke rediscovering his lost form. He’s endured a nightmare at Liverpool and it has to be said, that his mental status might be damaged beyond repair. He’s looked like just a shell of the former star we saw at Aston Villa during most of his time at Liverpool.

Chelsea are the type of club that can afford to take a gamble on Benteke though. He could arrive at Stamford Bridge, not as the club’s savior, but just another piece of the Blues’ machine. No striker in the Premier League receives regular playing time without a healthy amount of pressure, but he certainly wouldn’t be Chelsea’s biggest star. That reduced pressure would give him an opportunity to regain his lost form.

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Even though Chelsea can afford to gamble on Benteke, they should look to drive a hard bargain for the Belgian hitman. Reports claim that Liverpool are insistent on receiving a bid of 32.5 million pounds for the striker so they can recoup 100% of their investment in him. Chelsea should not be willing to pay that price, but a bargain bid of somewhere around 20 million pounds could be enough to tempt Klopp and the Liverpool Transfer Committee to cut their losses.

Romelu Lukaku should continue to be Chelsea’s number one striking target, but the Blues can’t afford to put all of their eggs in that basket. If Everton play hardball, Roman Abramovich should head just down the road to pry Christian Benteke out of his Liverpool nightmare.

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