Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke to turn down moves to Chinese Super League and Russia to help Eagles’ relegation scrap
Benteke came off the bench as Palace secured a vital last-minute 2-1 win against Stoke - and he fancies the relegation dogfight
CHRISTIAN BENTEKE will stay and fight for Crystal Palace’s Premier League survival — despite interest in his services in Russia and China.
The Belgian striker’s camp have been approached about moves away in the January window but they are sticking put for now.
Benteke has had a mixed spell at Palace since his move from Liverpool last year but he is keen to make it work — especially with next year’s World Cup finals on the horizon.
Whether the ex-Aston Villa and Anfield star, 26, sticks with Roy Hodgson’s Eagles after the tournament in Russia is open to debate and he could try to put himself back in the shop window when he gets there.
Benteke appeared off the bench yesterday as Crystal Palace secured a vital 2-1 win against Stoke - in the most dramatic of circumstances.
Mamadou Sakho scored a last minute winner to gift the Eagles a crucial win.
The former Liverpool defender tapped home from close-range as The Eagles ended a run of two successive draws at Selhurst Park.
Xherdan Shaqiri had put the visitors ahead in the 52nd minute, before Ruben Loftus-Cheek levelled three minutes later.
EAGLES SOAR Drama at the death between Crystal Palace and Stoke
Mark Hughes’ Potters are now without a win in their last three games home and away, and just three points off the drop.
The introduction of Christian Benteke and Peter Crouch from either bench led to a frantic final period, while Spaniard Jese also almost made an impact with a long range attempt.
Ryan Shawcross should have taken all three points back up north for Hughes, but somehow diverted a cross away from an empty net.
But after a Zaha cross and an effort off the post from Cabaye, Sakho netted the easiest of chances to give Roy's boys the best of weekend results.