Good value then?

I know he was popular with some, I think his important goals especially for Pulis and his cup final goal elevated him to better than what he actually was, but for me he was lazy and went missing in far too many games. But I’ll never forget that cup final goal, for just a few brief minutes,we thought he’d won us the cup

I think Benteke suffered from playing under a succession of defensive managers and living off scraps. He was great under Allardyce.

Look at the change in perspectives on Mateta. So much of it due to a shift on team mentality and approach.

People hate Benteke. I'm definitely not one of them

If you want to live in a world full of kindness, respect and love, try to show these qualities.

I loved Punchy, he was hit and miss but i will never forget his goal against Norwich, what it meant to him.
Conversely, Benteke, i hated the ignorant, self important, lazy, talentless, waste of space, arrogant oaf.

“That’s a joke son, I say, that’s a joke.” “Nice boy, but he’s sharp as a throw pillow.” “He’s so dumb he thinks a Mexican border pays rent” “ “Son… I say, son, some people are so narrow minded they can look through a keyhole with both eyes.”__ Forhorn Leghorn

I think he also suffered from being lazy and wanting the ball on a plate for him all the time. Good strikers who go through a lean spell for whatever reason work hard for the team and try to make something happen, he was visibly lazy and for a big bloke he didn’t exactly attack the ball in the area.
As for comparing him to Mateta, not exactly the greatest we’ve ever had but at least when he wasn’t scoring he worked hard, putting himself about and rattling defenders who at least knew he was around.

I think it didn't help Benteke, but he was also incredibly wasteful with the chances he did get and had a crap work rate.
In his last season he scored 4 league goals in 25 games, but also missed 8 big chances.

Mateta, even when he wasn't scoring, was never overly wasteful or lazy.