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Benteke is one of Aston Villa's best signings in years, says Guzan
14-Mar-2013 5:20:00 PM
The American goalkeeper has hailed the impact made by the €8.5 million signing from Genk, who has bagged 16 goals in all competitions since his summer switch to the Premier League
Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan has hailed the impact made by Christian Benteke since his €8.5 million move from Genk in the summer.The Belgium striker has notched 16 goals in all competitions so far this season, helping lift the relegation-threatened Villans to 17th in the Premier League.
And, ahead of Saturday's visit of fellow relegation rivals QPR, Guzan believes Benteke ranks among the club's best signings in recent years.
"I can't think of a player at this club over the past few years who has made such an initial impact," Guzan told the club's official website. "He's been absolutely massive for us.
"He has really exploded on to the scene for Villa. From the first minute, he's been fantastic. He's great in training. He works incredibly hard in training and he transitions all his skills from the training ground during the week on to Villa Park at the weekend.
"His best is yet to come, definitely. He's only young and he's still learning. He's also getting used to the Barclays Premier League after several seasons in Belgium. That takes time - not that you'd think it from his form over the past few months."
Guzan claims that there is more to Benteke than his sheer physicality, praising his skill with the ball at his feet as well as his aerial prowess.
"He has terrific ability at relieving pressure by holding the ball up," the American enthused. "It's not only his ability in the air. He has real skill with his feet too.
"His link-up play and his ability to bring other players into the game has been phenomenal."
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