Marcus Bent has exclusively told Football FanCast that he's surprised Crystal Palace offered Christian Benteke a new contract – calling the striker a "Championship player".

The Belgian has scored just 33 times in five seasons since making the £27m switch from Liverpool, but clearly did enough to convince the Palace hierarchy to offer him another deal.

10 of those came in the Premier League last season as Benteke ended the campaign in red hot form, but he only managed just six in 75 appearances in all competitions in the three years before 2020-21.

He scored six times in his final 10 league outings, including four on the bounce – with Tottenham, Chelsea, and Arsenal three of his victims.

However, Bent isn't convinced by the £120,000-per-week striker, who made just one substitute appearance for Belgium at the European Championships.

He told Football FanCast:

"He was massive at Villa as a young player, but I don't think he scores enough goals. Hold-up play? I'm not too sure. I don't think Benteke would be in my starting XI, squad player yes.

"He's done well for his country, but he's not consistent enough and I didn't think he would be signing a new contract. For me, he's a Championship player at best."

Benteke's five years with Crystal Palace have been strange to say the least. His four goals in as many games gave everyone a timely reminder of his capability, but his form generally in recent seasons has simply not been good enough.