Although Wilfried Bony is signing for a team with a host of talent up front, Manchester City’s new signing will provide the goals to push Chelsea all the way in the title race this season.

His £28 million fee may seem like a lot of money but there is no doubt that Bony will find the back of net, especially when star forward Sergio Aguero is out injured. Although the Argentinian has returned to first team action, Bony is an excellent second option for City if Aguero picks up further injuries between now until the end of the campaign.

One of the top scorers in 2014, Bony (20 goals) joins Aguero (17), Yaya Toure (18) and Edin Dzeko (14), meaning City now have four of the top five goalscorers in 2014. This clearly shows that Manchester City will have a wealth of attacking options, with Bony providing something slightly different to the array of talent at the Etihad. Bony is incredibly dangerous in the air and is one of the best finishers in the league. He is also very strong, meaning he can often play the role of the target man, bringing midfielders into the game, similar to the Sigurdsson partnership that was very dangerous at Swansea City.

It’s fair to suggest that Wilfried Bony was hot property in January and his presence in the City squad will only strengthen their team. The Champions League will be a great opportunity for Bony to showcase his talent on Europe’s biggest stage. However, Manchester City’s Champions League squad is full so it will be interesting to see whether a player makes way for Bony or whether the Ivorian will be saved for the Premier League. If he is played solely in the Premier League, there is no doubt that he will thrive off the service that he will be given at Manchester City.

Chelsea also boast a wealth of talent up front but if Diego Costa picks up an injury, there is not a striker of Bony’s class waiting in reserve. It almost seems wrong to determine the winners of the Premier League through the quality of reserve striker but the importance of squad depth cannot be underestimated. Chelsea have an excellent squad of players but if weaknesses are possible to find, it could be in the striking position. Manchester City now have some of the best strikers in the league at their disposal, all battling for a starting berth. Competition for places will always bring the best out of top players which is only good news for the Citizens.

The potential for a new striking partnership is also something that Manchester City should be excited about. In fairness, City have struggled to find a regular attacking duo as a result of Aguero’s brilliant form in a lone role up front. But the prospect of Aguero and Bony forming a partnership is sure to get City fans excited. This will mean that a player in City’s excellent midfield has to be sacrificed but it does mean that Pellegrini has given himself a plan B, another advantage resulting from Bony's signing.

Although Chelsea have more than enough quality to win the league, they should be weary of the Champions and their strengthened strike force.  Bony has arrived at the perfect time to provide a timely boost to City’s attack, who had actually coped rather well in the absence of a recognised striker. Bony will be hungry to play games and prove himself and he should not be overlooked as a squad signing.

If Bony gets a run in the Manchester City team, it could be difficult for other players, including Aguero, to get into the side. Either way, it is a welcoming problem for Manuel Pellegrini, who has added further quality to a squad that was already capable of challenging Chelsea all the way for the Premier League title.

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