Belgian players are far from a rarity in England's top flight. There are 21 of them to be exact.
While Christian Benteke was far from the first to first to grace the Premier League, when he joined Aston Villa from Genk, back in 2012 as a 21-year-old, he was stillsomething of a trailblazer (alongsideMarouane Fellaini and Simon Mignolet) for his country's golden generation.
No Belgian player has higher combined career transfer fees than the Crystal Palace front man, while none of his countrymen have scored more in a singlePremier League season than Benteke -although Romelu Lukaku looks set to end that run this season.
He spoke to 90min about boots, Belgians and boyhood heroesat Nike's Strike Night event to launch the new Hypervenom 3 boots, where he competed alongside a host ofworld stars from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Marcus Rashford for the title of 'best finisher'.
Bring out the Beast. 👟 ⚡� ⚽� 🎯#Hypervenom @nikefootball pic.twitter.com/hw3TkEI4JT
So, as this event is all about the boots and the strikers, do you remember your first pair of boots?
Yeah, Iremember. They were Kelme. They were nice butI can't remember if they were good. It's hard to compare because the times have changed.I just had them because of my cousin. I got them from him when I was eight or nine.
What do you like about these [Nike Hypervenom 3] boots?
I like them because they are comfortable and I feel free when I wear them and I love the design as well.
I've read that you were an Arsenal fan growing up. Do you still follow them as a fan?
Yeah, I still follow Arsenal. Its not like the same focus that I used to have because obviously we play against them, so it's different but I used to like Arsenal.
Why?
Because Thierry Henry was playing and he was my hero, I will say. My first football shirt was an Arsenal shirt. Actually it wasan Arsenal jumper.
There are many Belgians in the Premier League, including yourself. Is there a community? Areyou in contact with all of them?
Yeah, we have a Whatsapp group. I would say that I'm closest to Hazard and [Marouane]Fellaini.
One of your countrymenwho is doing particularly well this season is Everton's Romelu Lukaku. He's a playeryou've been compared with. Dofeel any rivalry or competitionwith him?
Not really. At the end of the day, he's got his career and I've got mine. That's football. Of course because of the position people will compare, but no I don't feel any rivalry because I have a lot of respect not only for him but all other strikers as well.
I'm pleased for him. He's having a terrific season. He's been at Everton for a long time and now its like his home, so it's easier for him.
What are your personal targets for this year and beyond?
To score as many goals as I can and try to help Palace in the relegation battle.
With Belgium we want to go as far as we can. We have to take our revenge for the Euros. Expectation was quite high and we didn't finish what we wanted to finish and hopefully, we'll go further for the World Cup.
It was St David's day recently.Have you had any stick about Euro 2016 from your Welsh teammates about what happened last summer?
No, they haven't said anything, but when we came back to training they made some jokes, but that was it.
What's your favourite goal you've ever scored? Do you have one in particular that stands out?
No. To be fair I like all the goals I've scored, but its hard to pick just one.
How would compare different managers you've worked under?
It's hard to compare them,but I will say that Klopp is a more 'fresh' manager and Sam Allardyce is more old school. He's worked with many teams in England and it's difficult to compare.
Designed for finishers, the Nike Hypervenom 3 is built for goalscoring.
Available now at nike.com.