Lambert: Benteke will not be sold

Dec 3, 2012 5:10:00 PM

The tall Belgian forward has been a revelation at Villa Park since joining Aston Villa in the summer and the Scottish boss insists he will not be sold in the January window

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has confirmed that he will not consider selling his star striker Christian Benteke in the January transfer window after the young Belgian attracted admirers from fellow Premier League clubs and across the continent.

The former Genk striker has registered around a goal every two games for both club and country over the last two seasons, including nine goals from 18 appearances this season.

Benteke has ousted Darren Bent from the Villa first-team, featuring in 14 games since moving to the club in the summer, and has garnered many admirers, not least his manager.

"Christian has been excellent for us,” said Lambert, speaking to Sky Sports. “He is a big strong lad but he can also play.

"If he keeps progressing the way he has so far, he will be an incredible player. I have to hold onto Benteke. He's going nowhere."

Lambert also noted that although Benteke has hit the ground running, he still has lots to learn and if he continues working hard and improving then the sky is the limit.

"I have run out of things to say about Christian,” he added. “He is not the finished article but he has been excellent for us and a fans' favourite.

"You have to be a good player to get into the current Belgium side and he has scored plenty of goals for them already.

"He might not peak for a few years yet. He's only 21 and can be anything he wants."

Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached!
Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET!

play

open

Inside Goal.Com

Player Ratings: Dortmund 1-2 Bayern
Goal.com rates the players on show as die Roten edge out their Bundesliga rivals to complete the double after a closely contested Champions League final at Wembley
Robben is finally Bayern's braveheart
The winger was the driving force behind the German outfit's triumph after years of playing second fiddle in the final
Pep has a lot to live up to after Bayern win
The Catalan coach was appointed in January with a view to getting the best out of the Bavarians' golden generation. But just four months on, they are already European champions
Top 10 all-time Champions League scorers
As the competition moves within days of its much-anticipated conclusion at Wembley, Goal profiles the most prolific players in its history
Top 10 Champions League Final Moments
As Europe braces itself for an all German classic at Wembley on Saturday, Goal.com takes a look back at some of the iconic moments in the history of Uefa's showpiece event since its rebranding in 1992.

Goal.com