Christian Benteke is a better ‘target man’ than Andy Carroll according to Sam Allardyce.
Allardyce was in charge of the pair during his time at Crystal Palace and West Ham United respectively.
The revelation may come as a surprise considering Benteke’s recent form but the former England manager believes the Eagles forward was superior to the now Newcastle man.
In 22 games under Allardyce, Benteke got on the score sheet nine times, and although that's five less than Carroll managed in 54 games for the Hammers, it’s the Belgian who gets Big Sam’s vote.
Benteke has recently come into some form, albeit not on the scoresheet, starting in Palace’s last six games, scoring one this season.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Allardyce sang the 29-year-old’s praises and what he brought to his Palace side.
"Christian Benteke was one major reason we stayed up, because he scored more goals than everybody else - scored 15 league goals (all season).
"You cross a ball for Christian Benteke, on his head, and he is - I thought Andy Carroll was really, really good at West Ham, but Christian Benteke was actually better.
"You know what ball he liked best? Stood up.
“Not the bender or the whipper.
“Just stand it up on the far post, he was terrific.
"You can say he didn’t work hard enough outside the box, and it was a lot of money that Palace paid, but he was goals."
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