Christian Benteke has credited Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew for the confidence and freedom he is being able to show on the pitch this season.
The London outfit paid big money to sign the Belgian striker from Liverpool in the summer and Benteke has been one of the top performers for an inconsistent Palace outfit.
He has scored five goals in his last five Premier League matches for the club and has eight in total to his name in 13 appearances, making him Palace’s top scorer this term.
And Benteke credited Pardew for showing confidence in him when he was struggling to get on the pitch for Liverpool and admits that he is in a much happier place in his career at Palace.
The 26-year-old forward admits that he shares a special relationship with the Palace manager and believes the confidence and freedom with which he is being able to play is down to the support he receives from Pardew.
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Benteke told French sports daily L’Equipe: “It is thanks to Alan Pardew that I came here because he believes in me.
“I had to find more time to play and I scored quickly which was important. You cannot afford to give up and stay in a ‘loser’ situation; you have to find a solution to be happy again.
“I found that when I came to Crystal Palace and I am happy today.
“Pardew is a coach who knows the Premier League perfectly and has experience; I have a special relationship with him.
“I would not say that we talk every day, but almost; we see each other in his office to discuss training sessions, the way I feel.
“He gives me the confidence and the freedom that I feel on the pitch.”
