Scouting Report: Wilfried Bony

Dubbed the “New Didier Drogba,” Wilfried Bony has been a target for Chelsea since the summer window. With rumors intensifying and Bony playing for affiliate Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem, Bony might be one to keep an eye on as Roman sets his sights on the 23-year-old Ivorian striker, who has taken the Eredivisie by storm.

Wilfried Guemiand Bony (Cost: ~£10m, Market Value: £7m)

23 years old; Right-footed Striker

Strengths: Bony is one of the strongest players in the Eredivisie and is well-suited for the physicality of the Premier League. He is a great leaper and a major aerial threat, giving Chelsea a different option up top. He’s a very clinical player with great finishing ability. He doesn’t waste his chances. He has an extremely powerful shot and a solid left foot. He is surprisingly good with the ball at his feet for a player of his style and he has a lot of growth potential.

Weaknesses: Bony is not the fastest player in the world. His speed is respectable but it’s never going to be a major concern for opposing teams. He’s not always consistent; he can vanish from games if he’s uninterested. He goes down somewhat easily for a player of his size and power. He’s an average passer, something that could conflict with Chelsea’s style of play.

Need to Knows: Bony has played with Didier Drogba on the Ivory Coast National Team. Bony also spent three years at The Application’s home club, AC Sparta Praha, where he scored 17 goals in 24 appearances during his final season. Bony currently leads the Eredivisie with 12 goals in 11 appearances this season. Bony has played with Chelsea loan players Patrick van Aanholt, Gael Kakuta, Nemanja Matic, Slobodan Rajkovic, Matej Delac and Tomas Kalas. Kalas has made a plea to Chelsea suggesting they sign a player like Bony. Bony was born 25 minutes away from Drogba’s birth place. He currently has four goals in 13 games for the Ivory Coast since earning his first cap in 2010.

Overall Rating (N/A): Bony remains the hot name in the papers at this moment with Torres struggling. The eerie similarities between he and Drogba (mostly playing style) has excited the scouts watching Bony at Vitesse. I have been fortunate enough to catch Bony for four years, as he was a hero at my hometown club of Sparta Praha, but I never expected him to be on Chelsea’s radar. He has come a long way from being a raw talent to the more polished, clinical scorer he is today. In all honesty, despite being a personal hero to me, I can’t see him being a true Chelsea superstar. Of course, I did say the same thing about another Ivorian unknown eight years ago. At around £10m, Bony might be worth the investment.

Image Credit: MTN Football