SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 8 hrs 39 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Roy Hodgson tips Christian Benteke for 2018 World Cup

:Headline: Roy Hodgson tips Christian Benteke for 2018 World Cup: ID:322107: from db_amp
Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson tips Christian Benteke to make the Belgium squad for the 2018 World Cup.

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson has backed Christian Benteke to make the Belgium squad for the 2018 World Cup despite his goal troubles this season.

Benteke has netted 12 times in 32 appearances for Belgium, but was left out of Roberto Martinez's squad for the international friendly with Saudi Arabia earlier this week.

The 27-year-old has scored just twice during a difficult 2017-18 campaign, but Hodgson has insisted that the powerful centre-forward still has enough time to earn a spot in the Belgium squad for this summer's tournament.

"He needs, and he knows he needs, to play as well as we think he is playing, at this moment in time," Hodgson told reporters.

"I think his form is very much on the up. If the national coach, Roberto [Martinez], was to watch his performance in particular against Huddersfield [Town], but also against Tottenham [Hostpur] and Manchester United, then he would be seeing the Benteke that he knows and has selected in the past.

"I would defy anybody not to be impressed by the defensive work he did against Huddersfield. His hold-up play, his ability to bring other people into play, his runs and his movement were all the things we were hoping to see from him, I believe we are now seeing.

"If he can add a goal or two or an assist to that, I am pretty certain that Roberto and his staff watching him will see the Benteke they know and want. All Christian can do is produce those performances to keep his club in the league and then hopefully that will be recognised by his national team and he will get a place in the squad to go to Russia."

Belgium's next international friendly is against Portugal at the start of June.

amp_article__322107 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2018-03-29 19:07:28:
html db last update - 2021-03-04 22:42:55 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Roy Hodgson

Click here for more stories about Crystal Palace

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .