Benteke: We need Wilf to stick around

Crystal Palace new signing Christian Benteke has already set to work trying to convince Wilfried Zaha to stay at the club.

Zaha has been the target of serious interest from Tottenham Hotspur, with two failed bids for the tricky winger reported thus far.

But while Spurs are yet to hit Palace’s asking price – Benteke has taken the opportunity to try and convince Zaha to stay at Selhurst Park.

Benteke made his debut on the weekend against Bournemouth with Zaha, and insists he would thrive on the service of the former Man Utd winger.

“Everyone knows his ability on the ball, he helped us a lot when he came in,” said Benteke.

“I spoke with him and I try to convince him to stay, but it’s football.”

(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

And defender Joel Ward is equally hopeful that the Ivorian-born England international will be sticking around.

“The fans know Wilf and the character that he is,” said Ward.

“The way that he applied himself, came on and did his job, was fantastic.”

“We want to take this club forward and keep pushing on. Hopefully we can do that with him staying and some more additions.”