Manchester City striker Wilfried Bony has denied rumours that he wants to leave the Etihad, insisting he is happy and has no regrets about joining the Premier League’s financial giants.
The Ivorian has been forced to make his intentions clear following reports that he has become frustrated with his role as second string to Sergio Aguero and would be open to switch clubs for more first-team opportunities elsewhere.
Bony publicly questioned City boss Manuel Pellegrini’s decision to demote him to the bench in favour of Aguero for the 2-1 defeat to Arsenal, despite having scored three times in the previous four games when Aguero was injured.
He has been linked with a return to former club Swansea City and is alleged to be a target for Newcastle United boss Steve McLaren during the January transfer window, but his agent was quick to bat away any talk of a move and now the player has reconfirmed his commitment to the Manchester club, who are keen to recapture the Barclays Premier League and finally live up to their billing in the UEFA Champions League.
City are also in the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup and the fourth round of the FA Cup, so the striker’s ability to hit the ground running when called upon could be vital if they are to compete on all four fronts.
“I’m happy at the club, all this speculation is not true,” Bony said, adding: “I have a contract so I’m happy and I think I’m at one of the top clubs in the United Kingdom.”
Bony has made only 11 Premier League starts in twelve months since his move from Swansea on a four-and-a-half-year deal. Yet the striker insisted he was pleased he made the big-money move. He told BBC World Football: “I have no regrets about joining Man City (…) We play in the Champions League and we’re one of the top clubs in the world. I’m happy here and I can just say I’m blessed.”
