by Brendan McLoughlin
Pepe Mel insists he already knows the damage Christian Benteke could potentially do to his West Brom side after revealing he previously tried to sign the Aston Villa striker.
The Baggies' new Spanish coach admits he is a long-term admirer of Benteke - and even asked Real Betis to sign him when he was in charge there in 2012.
But Villa eventually won the race for the Belgium international, shelling out £7m to Genk - and Benteke repaid them with 23 goals last term.
After a dip in form, the 23-year-old is back among the goals after scoring in back-to-back games against Arsenal and Liverpool - and Mel is out to ensure he is a marked man in Wednesday night's Midlands derby.
“I actually asked Real Betis to buy Benteke, but he was very expensive! Benteke is a well known player," he said. “We played with a system using wingers and we needed someone in the middle to put the ball in the back of the net - Benteke plays this role very well.”
Nicolas Anelka is, according to Mel, still “99% certain” to be involved as he fights an FA disciplinary charge over his controversial use of the quenelle gesture - which critics argue is anti-Semitic - to celebrate a goal against West Ham last month.
Anelka faces a minimum five-match ban, but can play for Albion until his hearing, which is set for the end of February.
Villa boss Paul Lambert said: “You never condone racism in any shape or form but I don’t want to get into it. I’m here to talk about football, I’m not a politician and I don’t pretend to be one.
“He has been at some fabulous clubs, won the biggest things going and has been terrific player. if you are talking about football he has been terrific.”
Mel has the chance to make himself an instant hero in only his second match in charge by delivering victory over Lambert's Villans, who rallied from 0-2 down to get a point from November's reverse fixture.
Check out all the latest News, Sport & Celeb gossip at Mirror.co.uk http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/aston-villa-vs-west-brom-3074592#ixzz2rlxiGb53
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Source:- http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/aston-villa-vs-west-brom-3074592
Pepe Mel insists he already knows the damage Christian Benteke could potentially do to his West Brom side after revealing he previously tried to sign the Aston Villa striker.
The Baggies' new Spanish coach admits he is a long-term admirer of Benteke - and even asked Real Betis to sign him when he was in charge there in 2012.
But Villa eventually won the race for the Belgium international, shelling out £7m to Genk - and Benteke repaid them with 23 goals last term.
After a dip in form, the 23-year-old is back among the goals after scoring in back-to-back games against Arsenal and Liverpool - and Mel is out to ensure he is a marked man in Wednesday night's Midlands derby.
“I actually asked Real Betis to buy Benteke, but he was very expensive! Benteke is a well known player," he said. “We played with a system using wingers and we needed someone in the middle to put the ball in the back of the net - Benteke plays this role very well.”
Nicolas Anelka is, according to Mel, still “99% certain” to be involved as he fights an FA disciplinary charge over his controversial use of the quenelle gesture - which critics argue is anti-Semitic - to celebrate a goal against West Ham last month.
Anelka faces a minimum five-match ban, but can play for Albion until his hearing, which is set for the end of February.
Villa boss Paul Lambert said: “You never condone racism in any shape or form but I don’t want to get into it. I’m here to talk about football, I’m not a politician and I don’t pretend to be one.
“He has been at some fabulous clubs, won the biggest things going and has been terrific player. if you are talking about football he has been terrific.”
Mel has the chance to make himself an instant hero in only his second match in charge by delivering victory over Lambert's Villans, who rallied from 0-2 down to get a point from November's reverse fixture.
Check out all the latest News, Sport & Celeb gossip at Mirror.co.uk http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/aston-villa-vs-west-brom-3074592#ixzz2rlxiGb53
Follow us: @DailyMirror on Twitter | DailyMirror on Facebook
Source:- http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/aston-villa-vs-west-brom-3074592
