After Christian Benteke found the back of the Emirates’ net on Monday night, a staggering statistic emerged: Only 48 players have scored more than him in Premier League history.
Not bad for a man who in recent years has been called a failed striker.
The 30-year-old Belgian shooter clinically sent the first of Crystal Palace’s two goals in their 2-2 draw with Arsenal as he found the net in the Premier League for the 83rd time.
After arriving on the English shores with Aston Villa for around £ 7million in 2012, Benteke saw his career falter somewhat after joining Liverpool for £ 32.5million three years later.
(Image: Action footage via Reuters / Peter Cziborra)
After just one season with the Reds, Benteke was moved to South London Palace for a similar price where, after an impressive first season, the goals dried up, and his Premier League tally only saw a steady increase. the last few seasons since.
But Benteke’s latest strike has propelled him higher up the historic Premier League rankings where, surprisingly, he finds himself above some iconic names.
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Heung-min son
The dynamic Tottenham striker joined Spurs from German team Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 and has since proven to be a success in the Premier League.
Son’s hardworking and sympathetic demeanor has proven popular with fans from top to bottom across the country and the South Korean has scored a number of stunning strikes since joining the Premier League.
However, with 74 goals under his belt, the Spurs man still has his work cut out for him if he is to surpass Benteke in the record books.
Roberto Firmino
(Image: Justin Setterfield / Getty Images)
Having managed a hat-trick against Watford this weekend and despite building up a third of Liverpool’s formidable forwards in recent seasons, Firmino is another who sits below Benteke.
The Brazilian became the first from his country to win multiple Premier League hat tricks last time around to bring his tally to 70 and with Liverpool at their best, you can expect that number to increase in the coming weeks. .
Luis Suarez
Arguably one of the Premier League’s biggest imports, Luis Suarez, who left Anfield a year before Benteke’s arrival, is another who lags behind the Belgian’s impressive tally.
During his three and a half years at Liverpool, Suarez scored an incredible 69 goals in just 110 Premier League appearances, including 31 in 33 appearances in his last 2013-14 campaign en route to the Premier League Golden Boot. , European Golden Boot and Premier League Player of the Season.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
(Image: PA)
While Benteke found himself on the Emirates scoresheet for Palace on Monday night, another iconic striker scored for the opposition.
Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang opened the scoring in the 2-2 draw by extending his own Premier League total, registering a 67th league goal.
The 32-year-old has proven to be one of Europe’s most prominent strikers in recent years following his transfer from Borussia Dortmund in 2018 with fellow Africans Liverpool, Sadio Mane and Mo Salah.
Gianfranco Zola
(Image: Getty Images Sport)
Gianfranco Zola is another legendary name Benteke sits on in the Premier League’s illustrious rankings.
The pocket-sized Italian hit the net 59 times in 229 appearances for Chelsea between 1996 and 2003 after joining Serie A side Parma, a somewhat surprisingly low figure for a player considered a football icon. Premier League.
Once again, the total highlights just how commendable Benteke’s achievement is and what an asset he too has been for the Premier League.
