Why second choice Bony is a better bet than Berahino for Stoke

Somewhat lost amid all of the record breaking transfers for what proved to be a majority of Premier League clubs this summer, Wilfried Bony’s deadline day switch to Stoke on loan could yet prove one of the most astute acquisitions of the window.

That it took until the final knockings of the summer market for any club to make a significant move for the Ivorian was a little bemusing, and while they hardly jumped the gun, the Potters wisely made their move late in the day. With his future at Manchester City always likely to be in doubt following the arrival of Pep Guardiola and, perhaps more pertinently, development of Kelechi Iheanacho, Bony needed an escape route.

Mark Hughes was kind enough to oblige having failed to land a number of targets identified as the missing piece to an ever-improving puzzle at the Britannia. Most notable among said failings was Stoke’s inability to secure a deal for long-term target Saido Berahino, with Bony’s arrival potentially serving as a double boost in that regard.

Indeed, the Potters may just have dodged a bullet by missing out on the young Baggies striker, whose lofty price tag has somehow remained unaffected by a rapid decline in performances and reputation. While it’s true to an extent that Berahino hasn’t been given a fair crack of the whip under Tony Pulis at times, the 23-year old has flattered to deceive in substantial playing time since the turn of the year. Indeed, in 1183 minutes of league action in 2016 - the equivalent of over 13 matches - Berahino has mustered just 6 shots on target and scored only once.

Though many may target the same criticism at Bony over the past six months, the performances of the two have been in complete contrast with regards to having the confidence to fire off shots at goal. While the former Swansea hitman may not have hit the net in the league in this calendar year, he will surely do so when afforded the opportunities that will be presented to him at Stoke, having started just 4 matches in 2016.

Indeed, of players to make at least ten Premier League appearances last season only Coutinho and Aguero fired off a shot more often than Bony (every 20.4 minutes). While that may make the 27-year old’s tally of just 4 league goals look meagre and has plenty to do with the quality of his former teammates, if the front man can find the sort of rhythm he managed in Wales then Stoke have an excellent weapon to lead an already impressive attack line that was lacking a focal point.

The centre forward role in Hughes’ 4-2-3-1 formation was the one real problem position in the Welshman’s ranks, with no player starting more than 10 league outings up front for the Potters last season. That will certainly change with a striker of Bony’s calibre at the manager’s disposal, provided he can stay fit.

If he does then Bony has already proven to be one of the most difficult strikers in England to stop on his day, such is the sheer power of the man. With the likes of Shaqiri and Arnautovic offering a mixture of physicality and flair on the flanks, Stoke’s potential front three will be a fearsome prospect after the international break, supplemented by the guile and creativity of Bojan.

Given the quality of the supporting trio, the Ivory Coast international should have more than enough chances to return to goalscoring form, while also capable of creating something out of nothing himself. Though he looked out of his depth at times at City, and understandably so given that he served as understudy to one of the world’s finest strikers, Bony now has the chance to prove that he is more than just a battering ram.

His touch and ability to bring others into play is often undervalued and was evident at the Etihad, if only in glimpses given the playing time he was afforded, so the front man should link up well with his aforementioned clubmates. Moreover, while his finishing has somewhat deserted him in recent months, Bony has proven more than capable of hitting the goal trail in the Premier League, scoring 25 times in 54 appearances while at Swansea.

With a point to prove after a disappointing spell in Eastlands, Stoke have acquired a player hungry to show that he is still a force to be reckoned with at this level. With confidence never having been an issue despite his recent struggles in front of goal, Potters fans have cause to be confident themselves that Bony is the man to lead the line where many have failed in recent seasons. With no Stoke striker having made more than 20 appearances in that role in either of the previous two campaigns for the club, Bony should provide the solution and reignite a career that always seemed destined to stagnate in Manchester.

How many goals do you think Wilfried Bony could score for Stoke this season? Let us know in the comments below