Sunday 17 July 2016 15:40, UK
Christian Benteke has the necessary attributes to succeed at Crystal Palace, according to former Eagles striker Leon McKenzie.
Palace made a £25m bid for the Liverpool striker at the start of July as boss Alan Pardew tries to add firepower to a side which ended last term as joint-third lowest scorers in the Premier League.
Benteke joined Liverpool in a £32.5m move from Aston Villa last summer but started just eight games for the Reds under manager Jurgen Klopp last season.
Benteke's agent told Sky Sports News HQ last week there is "nothing" in reports the striker is set to leave Liverpool, but McKenzie believes a move to Selhurst Park can help the Belgian get his career back on track.
"Crystal Palace need an out-and-out goalscorer who is fast, sharp and brings something a little bit different. Christian Benteke certainly has those attributes," footballer-turned boxer McKenzie told Sky Sports.
"I think he would be a good addition and he needs to rediscover what made him such a valuable player in the first place.
"A lot of it is down to man-management and Alan Pardew will always be able to get the best out of certain players.
"Pardew could perhaps get Benteke back to where he was before. It would be good move for him and hopefully Palace can get him."
Palace have shown their ambition ahead of next season with the acquisitions of England international Andros Townsend, defender James Tomkins and French goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, who joined the club from Marseille.
McKenzie, who began his career at Palace, is not surprised his boyhood club are strengthening, insisting their big-money attempt to secure Benteke's services is a measure of how far the club has progressed in recent seasons.
"Crystal Palace are an established Premier League team now," he added.
"There is no yo-yo aspect involved with the club any more. They hold their own and have done so for several years now. That sort of money is now available as a result of staying in the Premier League."
