He was once the player who set alight the premier league for Swansea City, after that earning millions more at Manchester City, before dipping his toe in the Arabian Sea. Nowadays, without a club and attempting to get one more recognised contract Wilfried Bony trains alone.

His last club were Al-Ittihad in 2020, before that a brief loan at Al-Arabi Sports saw him gather five goals a piece for each club. Bony has an affinity and a love for Swansea City, his perseverance to get back to his fitness levels of yesteryear are commendable. Bony has trained with Newport County in recent times, and you would have thought some talks took place, but a few grand a week at Newport does not compare to an oil rich 45k in Arabia, or twice that at Manchester City. Even at Swansea City his salary on returning to the club was eye watering.

Bony was the premier leagues top scorer during the calendar year of 2014, yes in a swans shirt, more records and more kudos for the club. Manchester City came calling and the fee paid to join the swans was doubled and off to Manchester he went. Gold slip on shoes, almost a regal look about him as he paraded his wardrobe as well as his skills to the footballing public - Wilfried seemed to have it all. For those few years at the swans and then the citizens he was football royalty.

Hamed Daghestani who represents Bony is quiet on the subject. The fees and salary Bony commands today at 32 are not the same as they were ten years ago. But Bony is only 32, he has been in the wilderness for two years, since he was 30. That’s a waste, was it salary demands or lack of ability that led Bony to a lonely training regime in front of Steve Cooper’s apartment this week ? We all know he won’t be offered anything at Swansea City, far younger and more developmental players are on the radar, we’ve seen this already this close season, bar one or two that is, and they are nowhere near complete.

Earlier this year Bony told the BBC "My agent and staff, they are talking with Turkish sides, Chinese sides, Korean sides, in Russia also," he said. But I leave that to them. I just focus on my training, to get fit and get ready for when the moment comes for me to move. "I tried to train with Swansea and it was quite difficult with the first team," Bony said. "Then the academy boss tried to find a place for me to train with the under-23s but it took a long time because of coronavirus, all of these things. Then I decided to go to train with Newport. My friend is there - the coach [Mike] Flynn. We have a great relationship so when I asked him he said: 'Yeah, come.' "They help me a lot - the same as last year. I say thanks to them." Bony says there is no chance of him signing for Newport, but he would be interested in signing for a club higher up the English ladder. Yeah, why not? We listen to everything and then we see what is the best option for us," he said. If it is here or if it is abroad, I am going to be happy. I am happy to be in a team, to train and to enjoy it."

Based on those comments it seems strange he is yet to settle for at least something if playing football is what he really wants ?

It isn’t of course a tale of what was and look at him now. Bony in his pomp was stunningly good, strong and industrious when he wanted it, and he almost certainly wanted it. His son Geoff is on the swans academy books and looks at times the spit of his dad, to get to that level of ability or even close will be some achievement. Family ties keep Bony in Swansea, maybe he has to accept the awesome levels he reached will never return, or maybe like Lee Trundle continue to enjoy the game and give something back ?

Whatever Wilfried Bony does or has planned he was a pivotal part of the Laudrup era, and made a complete success of his time at Swansea. However to see him train alone so often on the beach in the city were his heart still clearly remains was a poignant moment. And of course a reminder to us all, that we must enjoy everyday because everyday is a good day. Whatever we achieve, and whatever levels we reach, at times when you were as good as Wilfried Bony, the only way is down.

What are your memories of Wilf ?

Photographs licensed from Reuters / Swansea Independent

ReslovenSwan1 added 12:48 - Jun 18 Just play somwhere. If I was him I woud turn out along side Nathan Dyer at Newport county at the start of next season. After 10+ goals he will be on good money in France.
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