It has been a surprising quiet transfer window at Stoke City so far. Until the deadline day, the Potters managed to sign just two players in the form of Joe Allen and Ramadan Sobhi. However, they have finally put an end to their silence in the transfer market. The Potters have confirmed a season-long loan deal for Manchester City striker Wilfred Bony. The Ivorian international becomes the Potters’ third signing of the summer and first of the transfer deadline day.
He made his big-money move to Manchester City from Swansea City back in January 2015 but could score just 11 times from 46 games. During his time at Etihad, Bony had to play second fiddle to Sergio Aguero while youngster Kelechi Iheanacho also was ahead of him in the pecking order last season. Yes, Bony has been a massive flop at Etihad but still remains a proven Premier League striker.
During his time at Swansea, Bony was one of the most feared strikers in the Premier League. The 27-year-old played just 70 games for the Swans and scored 35 goals. One goal in every two games, that’s quite an impressive strike rate. Time and again last season, Stoke City’s lack of a regular goal threat up front haunted the Potters and was probably one of the key reasons why they failed to qualify for Europe.
Peter Crouch is well past his peak while Joselu and Mame Diouf are clearly not good enough for the Potters. When you have players like Shaqiri, Arnautovic, Afellay, Bojan, Allen and Imbula in midfield, you need to have a quality striker up front who can complement the good work of the midfield players. Bony is capable of doing that job.
A threat in the air, a strong striker who can outmuscle opponent and very good off the ball movement- Bony vastly improves the Potters’ attack. The fans reacted on Twitter as soon as the deal was announced. The Stoke City supporters are clearly very happy that Hughes finally could make this deal happen. Here are some tweets.
@stokecity @wilfriedbony @ManCity thank you for ending my suffering
— moe???? (@ThePepEra) August 31, 2016
@stokecity You’ve saved me from so much pain, I am forever grateful. Forza Stoke.
— Chris (@SterIing) August 31, 2016
@SagnaBoy @stokecity @wilfriedbony @ManCity riots in the streets of Manchester if he returns, cba
— mediocntro twit chie (@Joshiocentro) August 31, 2016
@stokecity @wilfriedbony @ManCity IVORIAN VAN NISTLEROOY
— not happy (@OhReallyShaqiri) August 31, 2016
@stokecity @wilfriedbony @ManCity pic.twitter.com/5pFlFmPU4y
— Sagna Boy (@SagnaBoy) August 31, 2016
@stokecity Excellent signing, the sort of player we’ve been missing? #SCFC #WelcomeBony
— Simon Hewitt (@Sidger7) August 31, 2016
