Football
PA Sport 8y

Christian Benteke isn't Lionel Messi, needs help - Palace's Damien Delaney

Crystal Palace defender Damien Delaney has attempted to relieve the pressure on club-record signing Christian Benteke's shoulders by claiming the whole team has to improve collectively and insisting the Belgian is "Lionel Messi."

Palace have begun their season with defeats against West Bromwich Albion and Tottenham and failed to score in either game, a task that is expected of Belgium international striker Benteke following his arrival from Liverpool in a deal worth an initial £27 million.

But Delaney has warned Benteke will not be the answer to their goal scoring problems unless the rest of the team provides him with chances.

"We're not signing Messi, he's a good player but he's not a player who is going to get the ball and make things happen," Delaney told the London Evening Standard.

"We've got to work on the midfield players, wide players, defenders, full-backs and have better service and a better way about us. He brings a presence, he's a handful, but Connor Wickham is as well. It's time we stop talking about things and go and win games.

"We have to get some ammunition for him, get some crosses in the box, and give him supply. You can say we're not scoring goals, but we're not creating enough chances and that's coming back to the midfielders and defenders, it's up to us to get better service.

"If we were missing a whole host of chances, you just want finishers, but I don't remember [Tottenham goalkeeper Michel] Vorm really doing anything if I'm honest with you. It's not the centre-forwards' fault, it's a team game."

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