These quotes are mostly harmless and probably a shared view of most footballers in Europe, but are unlikely to please Brendan Rodgers too much – and some supporters may even find them a little disrespectful.
Christian Benteke, the striker Rodgers chose to splash out £32.5m on this summer, has claimed in Belgian outlet Sport Magazine (via Daily Star) that he wants to play for Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, as well as legend Pep Guardiola.
“Jose Mourinho and [Bayern Munich boss] Pep Guardiola,” Benteke said when asked who he’d most like to work for. “Not only because of their achievements: They have won everything.”
“Their approach is completely different and it is also why I would like to work with both.”
You can’t blame the powerhouse for thinking as much, but when he’s just moved to Liverpool – he really shouldn’t be sounding out the current Chelsea manager. It’s ill advised to say the least. Would Danny Ings say something similar, or would he answer the question smartly – naming his current Liverpool and England bosses? You decide, we suppose.
Benteke’s currently out and is facing a race against time to be fit for the Merseyside derby on Sunday, having scored twice so far since his monster move from Aston Villa.
A potential partnership with Daniel Sturridge is exciting, but the Belgian will need to oust Ings from the starting lineup with the young Englishman unexpectedly staking a serious claim for an automatic spot.