One to Watch – Wilfried Bony

Name: Wilfried Bony

Date of Birth: 10/12/1988

Nationality: Ivory Coast

Former Clubs: Issia Wazi, Sparta Prague, Vitesse

League Appearances (Goals): 185 (92)

International Appearances (Goals): 32 (11)

Stat of the Day: Wilfried Bony has netted 18 goals in the Premier League in 2014, more than any other player

Player Profile: From Steve Watkin to Lee Trundle to Jason Scotland to Danny Graham to Michu to Wilfried Bony, the rapid rise of Swansea and quality of their playing staff is never too far away from the jaw-dropping eulogies of the media and green-eyed clubs around the country. Wilfried Bony perhaps represents the summit of Swansea`s efforts thus far; a striker who has played at the World Cup Finals for his home nation, scored 25 goals in his debut season in the Premier League and has been linked with big money moves to clubs` harbouring ambitions of Champions League success. Having endured a tough time at the beginning of his Swansea career under Michael Laudrup the Ivorian has become Swansea`s main man, liberated under the tutelage of Garry Monk, and has built upon his reputation as one of the most prolific goalscorers across Europe.

For a man who claims he never uses the gym, the striker`s physical presence and ox-like strength is one of his biggest attributes, using it to hold the ball up and power through defences with simplicity. Converted from a centre-back to striker at the age of 14, his goalscoring attributes have seen the rumour mill go into overdrive as clubs scramble to find the centre forward that can head, play and score as well as Bony can, at the highest level. The Liberty Stadium faithful will be delighted the frontman recently signed a one-year contract extension but should the 25-year-old continue to find the net with such ease he may be a hard man to keep hold of.

Playing Career:

Wilfried Bony started his career in his native Ivory Coast, playing for Cote d`Ivoire Premier Division side Issia Wazi. He earned himself a trial at Liverpool at the age of 17 but having failed to make an impression in England moved to Czech side Sparta Prague, initially appearing on loan for their reserve side in 2007.

He joined their first team on a permanent basis in 2008 and scored nine times in the 2009/2010 season as Sparta went on to win Czech First League title. After scoring 17 goals during the first half of the 2010/2011 campaign, including five goals in six appearances in the Europa League, he signed for Dutch Eredivisie side Vitesse in January 2011.

He scored on his debut in a 2-0 derby victory over rivals De Graafschap and went on to net twelve times in his first full season in Holland. The 2012/2013 campaign was a standout one for Bony as he ended the season as the Eredivisie`s top goalscorer with 31 goals in 30 matches, earning the Golden Shoe for the ‘best player` in the process.

Having scored 51 goals in 69 appearances for Vitesse, Swansea splashed out a record £12 million to bring the Ivorian to Wales on a four-year deal in 2013. Bony scored on his league debut in a 4-1 defeat to Manchester United and after a slow start to his Swansea career he finished his debut season with 25 goals in all competitions.