Tuesday 19 May 2015 13:57, UK
Manuel Pellegrini is convinced Wilfried Bony will be an impact player for Manchester City next season, despite the striker’s struggles since his move from Swansea.
The Ivorian has managed just two goals since his January switch and started Premier League two games while appearing as a substitute in a further seven.
That is not the return City hoped for when they paid a fee of £25m - rising to £28m - in the hope he could help them retain their title.
Pellegrini, however, believes circumstances conspired against the 26-year-old in his first season at Etihad Stadium and remains confident Bony will be a force for City next season.
"He was very unlucky maybe this year when we bought him because he started by going to the Africa Cup of Nations and he came back with a lot of games in his body," Pellegrini said.
"After that he had an important injury in his ankle and his knee in the same leg, so he stopped for about three or four weeks.
"After that we won five games in a row and I didn't want to make changes during this moment.
"But it's very important for him to play the minutes he can, first last week against Queens Park Rangers and now he has participated with a goal at Swansea.
"I am absolutely sure we bought the player that we need and that he will be important in our future."
Bony's fellow Ivorian Yaya Toure scored twice at Swansea but speculation persists that he might leave Manchester City after five successful seasons at the club.
But Pellegrini insists that he wants the 32-year-old, whose double at the Liberty Stadium took him past the 50-goal mark in the Premier League, to stay.
"The way we play I like to have a technical midfielder and a scoring midfielder," Pellegrini said.
"Yaya has scored a lot of goals last year and this year and our players like to play offensive football. I like to play that way also and he is one of the players we need."
Pellegrini also believes French defender Eliaquim Mangala will benefit from his first season in the Premier League.
Mangala joined from Porto for £32million last summer but the 24-year-old has had a difficult introduction to English football and again had some uncomfortable moments at Swansea, including being at fault for Bafetimbi Gomis' equaliser when he failed to cut out Jazz Richards' long ball.
"We will analyse this game but I think Mangala is improving in every game," Pellegrini said.
"We won the last five games playing with him defending and I think this has been a year he needed to be settled in the Premier League. I am sure we will see the best Mangala next year."
Asked about City's own prospects next season, Pellegrini replied: "This season we did not win the title but we have continued to be the highest scoring team.
"We have done right things and next season we will again be a strong team - exactly the same as Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool.
"In England you have five squads who can all win the title and I think we will do well in the league and do better in both cups and the Champions League."
