Alan Shearer Urges Leeds United to Sign Former Crystal Palace No. 9 ‘Already Twerking His Way to Elland Road’
Former England captain and pundit Alan Shearer has urged Leeds United to “go ahead and sign” a proven Premier League goal scorer. The outspoken pundit believes the Championship side are “one quality striker away” from completing their promotion push and says the experienced forward in question could be the perfect fit at Elland Road.
Speaking on BBC’s Match of the Day, Shearer said Leeds “need a leader up top” someone who knows how to handle the physical demands of English football and can deliver goals under pressure. “They’ve got energy, creativity, and some really exciting young players,” Shearer explained. “But they’re missing that real presence in attack a player who’s been there, done it, and still has plenty to offer.”
That player, according to Shearer, is Christian Benteke, the former Crystal Palace No. 9 who has rediscovered his best form in Major League Soccer with D.C. United. Benteke, now 34, has been in prolific form since moving to the United States in 2022, scoring 47 goals in 93 appearances and earning a reputation as one of the league’s most complete strikers.
Shearer believes Benteke’s experience and physicality make him an ideal signing for Leeds United as they chase promotion back to the Premier League.
“Leeds would be mad not to look at him,” Shearer said. “He’s still scoring for fun, still bullying defenders, and he knows English football better than most. If there’s even a small chance to bring him back, they should go for it.”
Benteke’s name has recently been trending among Leeds supporters after fans spotted him interacting with the club’s social media posts leading some to joke that he’s “already twerking his way to Elland Road.” Though the phrase was used humorously, it reflects the growing excitement about the possibility of the Belgian target man returning to English football.
During his six-year stay at Crystal Palace between 2016 and 2022, Benteke made 162 appearances, scoring 35 goals and establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s most recognizable centre-forwards.
Despite a dip in form towards the end of his Palace tenure, his revival in the MLS has impressed fans and pundits alike.
Shearer, who remains the Premier League’s all-time leading scorer, praised Benteke’s resilience and adaptability.
“He’s shown he can reinvent himself,” Shearer said. “It’s not easy to go abroad, especially later in your career, and dominate the way he has. That tells you a lot about his professionalism and hunger. Leeds could really use that kind of mentality.”
Leeds boss Daniel Farke has not commented on the links but has previously hinted that the club may explore the January transfer market to add attacking depth. With promotion rivals like Southampton and West Brom strengthening their squads, the addition of an experienced striker could prove decisive.
Benteke’s journey from Belgium to England and then to the United States has been one of perseverance and reinvention. He began his senior career at Genk in 2007, scoring 19 goals in his second spell there before earning a Premier League move to Aston Villa in 2012. He went on to score 42 goals in 89 games for Villa, before stints at Liverpool and Crystal Palace, where he became a fan favourite for his aerial power and hold-up play.
Now, as Leeds United look for that final piece to complete their promotion puzzle, Alan Shearer’s call has added fuel to growing rumours. Whether the club makes a move remains to be seen, but one thing is clear Christian Benteke’s name is once again being talked about in English football circles.
And if the excitement on social media is anything to go by, plenty of Leeds fans wouldn’t mind seeing the big Belgian “twerk” his way all the way to Elland Road.
