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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…

Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas is ‘amazed’ that Crystal Palace have offered Christian Benteke a new contract.

Nicholas made the revelation in his Premier League predictions column for this weekend’s round of fixtures, in which he tips the Eagles to come out of their game against Aston Villa at Selhurst Park with a 1-1 draw.

Benteke has reportedly been offered a new deal along with James Tomkins, as the Belgium international has under 12 months remaining on his current terms.

What did he say?

Nicholas said: “I saw them win at Man United, but where did that come from? Jordan Ayew was so composed with the first goal, and they will always be well-drilled under Roy Hodgson.

“I am amazed that Christian Benteke has been offered a new contract.”

Has every right to be amazed

It looked like money well spent when Benteke hit 17 goals in his first season as a Palace player, following a club-record £27m move from Liverpool, although things have turned sour very quickly.

Since that campaign, the former Villa man has scored just four goals in red and blue, all whilst earning a reported salary of £120k-a-week to make him the south Londoners’ third-highest earner behind Wilfried Zaha, who gets £10k more per week, and Max Meyer who earns £125k-a-week.

Given his huge salary and minimal contribution over the last two seasons, Palace should probably just cut their losses on the forward and wave goodbye to him, even more so now that Jordan Ayew looks to have taken his place in the side – the Ghanaian was named ahead of Benteke for the win at Old Trafford.

To be in such dismal form – if you can ever call it form anymore, that is – and be rewarded with a new deal is a ludicrous move from the south London-based side, and Nicholas has every right to be amazed at their baffling decision.

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