GESTEDE FOR HEIGHTS
Blackburn ace Rudy looking to get back to the top-flight this summer
AS Louis van Gaal laments the lack of a 20-goal-a-season striker at Manchester United, Lancashire rivals Blackburn Rovers are fearing the worst after two of their own reached that tally in stirring style this season.
While Jordan Rhodes’ departure to the Premier League has long seemed inevitable, Rudy Gestede is now also hoping to grace the turf at the likes of Old Trafford next year following a transformative campaign.
Illogical
Signed from Cardiff with Craig Conway for a combined £300,000 fee in January 2014, Gestede is currently valued at £7m after 32 goals in his last 50 league appearances, 20 of those coming this season alone.
The 26-year-old admits such a rapid rise in his asking price is almost illogical but, ironically, selling the French-born striker may be the most rational decision open to Blackburn.
With Rovers still under a transfer embargo for Financial Fair Play transgressions, the sale of both Gestede and Rhodes would boost the club in their aim of balancing the books.
At the other end of the scale, Premier League giants United this week splashed the cash to land Dutch international forward Memphis Depay for £22m to solve their goal-shy striker conundrum.
And despite coming close to joining Crystal Palace in January, Gestede wants the side that took a gamble on him to reap the financial rewards, wherever he ends up.
“Football is crazy – 18 months ago my value was not far from zero but then 35 goals in that time and it’s apparently £7m,” he said.
“If I score some Premier League goals then maybe I’ll be worth £10m or even £15m!
“Of course it’s a good feeling to know you came in through the small door and might be leaving through the big door.
“If I leave and the club get good money for me, then that’s great and I have a lot to thank them for.
“I was in touch with Palace in January but they weren’t willing to put up the money Blackburn were asking for so unfortunately it didn’t happen.
“I’ve got a contract here, though, so if they don’t want to sell me then they won’t – but my ambition is to play in the Premier League.
“I want a good challenge for myself and for my family to be happy as well, so I’m not going to go somewhere just for money, I want the chance to play every weekend.”
Securing regular football is vital for Gestede to avoid a repeat of his disappointing brief first spell in the Premier League with Cardiff that saw him exiled on loan to Rovers before making the move permanent.
Confidence
And the Benin international believes Blackburn boss Gary Bowyer and strike partner Rhodes deserve a lot of credit for instilling him with the necessary confidence that former manager Malky Mackay helped to sap away.
“Cardiff didn’t give me a fair chance,” he added. “Malky Mackay gave me a chance to play at first but then I wasn’t his first choice.
“I have got confidence in myself because you have to know what you’re capable of, but it’s hard to prove it off the pitch.
“Then at Blackburn I was straight away a starting player so my confidence was high and the team helped me to fit in well.
“When you know you’re going to be on the pitch for the next game, even if you don’t score, it’s very important. Gary Bowyer gave me that chance and I will always thank him for that.
“Jordan is a clever player and a good mate, but it won’t be sad to break up the partnership because in football you’re not going to be with your partner for life.”
Aside from his Premier League dream, Gestede is hoping to star on the international stage and help Benin qualify for the 2017 African Cup of Nations.
“To start with I was a bit worried about going out to play for Benin as I’d never been to Africa before, but it was great to share that experience with the people out there,” he added.
“AFCON 2017 is the goal but it won’t be easy because of the issues with the federation that mean we don’t have a manager at the moment. But we’ve got a good, competitive team and hopefully we’ll get there.”