Eric Imhof looks at how Bony's transfer to Man City could benefit the club in the long run
With all the speculation (some of it wilder than the rest) about the imminent and inevitable move of Wilfried Bony to Premier League juggernaut Manchester City, the predictable predicament in which many supporters find ourselves is one of being utterly torn. Yes, the Swans will most likely lose their top scorer, their best build-up forward, and arguably their biggest emotional booster (and I mean “biggest” literally) all with a few strokes of a pen. And with that same pen, the Swans will most likely also gain depth, investment in infrastructure, and leverage in future recruitment. So is it a win-win situation?
I think it is, and Bony going now might even be better than him going in the summer. Here’s why. For starters, it would be good for Bony. I know that some Swans fans think that he’ll get to know Scott Sinclair really, really well, but there’s also a good chance Wilf will get some serious playing time, what with City’s 3,000 simultaneous competitions, not to mention Aguero’s injury. Plus, Bony is perfectly suited to City’s system, and he and Yaya in the same lineup would (or should) strike fear into the heart of almost any opposition manager. Players seem to value playing in the Champions League above all else for some reason, so there’s that to factor into the equation too.
Secondly, if it’s inevitable that Bony will go elsewhere eventually, why not just rip the bandaid off now, with the Swans in a comfortable position in the league, and with plans B and C already in effect? Sure, Bony could score twenty more goals this season and increase his value (along with the Swans’ position in the table), but he could also get injured, or fall out of form, or get red-carded for no apparent reason and miss a bunch of games. If he’s leaving anyway, why not sell him now, get the maximum return while he’s in high demand, and laugh all the way to the bank?
And thirdly, speaking of the bank: not only will Huw and Monk use the influx of cash to build the squad - and some new seats at The Liberty - but Bony’s upward move itself will attract future talent. With this propulsion of a player to the top tier, Huw would be showing to the world that Swansea is a place players can come and improve: a launch pad from which players can not only hone their skills but also strengthen their stock. Who wouldn’t want to come to a club that promises a leg-up on such a ladder?
And so, while the Swans may struggle down the stretch without their biggest piece of heavy artillery (may struggle: Barrow and Gomis have both shown glimpses of greatness recently), they’ll benefit from a deeper squad in the short term and a more attractive one in the long term. They’ll be able to bring in better players, generate more revenue, and plan for a more stable - and at the same time more exciting - future in the promised land of soccer.
On a personal note: wherever he goes, I hope Bony continues to be great. He’s earned his place among the elite strikers in any league, anywhere in the world. Godspeed!
Thanks to Eric for his latest piece - give him a follow on Twitter @AustinJackArmy. I certainly am going to miss Wilfried Bony but I echo his sentiments - hopefully he goes on to establish himself as one of the game's top strikers.