5 exciting "Forwards" from "wee" clubs of England
The English Premier League has always been home to world class strikers time and again. From the likes of Eric Cantona to Alan Shearer, Michael Owen to Thierry Henry, Wayne Rooney to Didier Drogba and Robin van Persie to Fernando Torres, the list continues to grow every year.
The big guns have benefited immensely from the pool of talented strikers but a recent trend has seen the relatively smaller teams produce equally talented forwards over the past few years. The likes of Michu (Swansea), Christian Benteke (Aston Villa) and Steven Fletcher (Sunderland) have led the attack of their clubs admirably.
Smaller clubs have started to attract talented strikers across Europe as they offer a promise of regular football, something which is very important prior to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The “wee” clubs are ready to pay their hefty price tag and compete with the financial muscle of rivals.
Let us take a look at five new strikers, who have been signed by the so called smaller clubs of England, and are expected to lighten up the Premier League:
“If you look at his legs they’re like tree trunks.”
Michael Laudrup fired a warning to all the defenders in England by praising his new £12 million signing on the eve of his debut against Manchester United. The 24-year-old Ivory Coast striker is known for his strength and has been compared to fellow countrymen Drogba.
Wilfried Bony might be new to English football but has already made headlines in the Dutch League after two productive years at Vitesse Arnhem from 2011 to 2013, in which he scored 46 times in 65 appearances. Swansea had to fight with Everton, Newcastle and even Liverpool for his services.
All set for a great season in England!
A single touch finish in the bottom corner of De Gea’s goal was an epitome of the finesse he possesses in the 12 yard box. Bony takes advantage of his physique that allows him to bully defenders in the penalty area and cause a situation of panic to his benefit. He might not be very quick, but makes up with good ball control and precise shooting. If deployed as the poacher he can be very effective with strike partner Michu, who would create a number of chances for the Ivorian.
He made an intelligent choice of club in Swansea and will surely be a major goal threat for the rivals. Containing him in the air and around the box is going to be challenging for the defenders but will bring about an exciting game to watch.
31 league goals in 30 appearances last season at Vitesse was a bounty for the striker but the English game is on another level and he needs to rise to the occasion. We can still expect him to reach the double figure mark in the first season at Swansea.