Wilfried Bony hopes he can hit the ground running at Manchester City by continuing his fine scoring record against Newcastle United this weekend.
The striker joined the English Premier League champions from Swansea City a month ago but only linked up with his new team-mates this week after helping Côte d'Ivoire win the 2015 CAF Africa Cup of Nations. He admits it could take time for City fans to see the best of him but Newcastle would not relish coming up against a player who has scored three times in two previous Premier League games against them.
Bony, who netted 34 times in 70 appearances for Swansea, told mcfc.co.uk: "It feels like a while since I signed the contract but finally I'm here, I'm really happy about that and now I'm just focusing on this Saturday's game.
The striker joined the English Premier League champions from Swansea City a month ago but only linked up with his new team-mates this week after helping Côte d'Ivoire win the 2015 CAF Africa Cup of Nations. He admits it could take time for City fans to see the best of him but Newcastle would not relish coming up against a player who has scored three times in two previous Premier League games against them.
Bony, who netted 34 times in 70 appearances for Swansea, told mcfc.co.uk: "It feels like a while since I signed the contract but finally I'm here, I'm really happy about that and now I'm just focusing on this Saturday's game.
"For me, it was really important to make this decision for my career and my life and I'm very happy to be a City player. I have spoken to my new team-mates and they have welcomed me to the club and I'm already feeling at home.
"It's not easy because I've just arrived from Africa and I will have had five days of training before we play Newcastle. I have to take it step by step and wait for the right opportunity to present itself.
"If I am needed, I have a good record against Newcastle - I've scored three goals in two games against them.
"They are a good side and are strong at the back but they are coming to our stadium and we need to win this game. Four days later we'll be playing Barcelona and we need to go into that game on the back of a strong performance."
Bony, 26, was City's only January signing and was preferred to Stevan Jovetic in manager Manuel Pellegrini's Champions League squad. Pellegrini will hope Bony can take some of the pressure for goals off Sergio Aguero, with Jovetic and fellow striker Edin Dzeko having managed just nine between them so far this season.
Meanwhile, midfielder Frank Lampard believes City will win the UEFA Champions League at some point, and sees the double-header against Barcelona in the last 16 as the perfect test.
The 36-year-old said: "This is a trophy every big club needs in their collection and, the way City are heading, it is one that will happen at some point. These sorts of games are the ones you have to win if you are going to go on and win the competition.
"There were many years when I was at Chelsea when success was very close - I think I've played in four or five semi-finals and also lost a final against Manchester United, so to actually win it in 2012 was extra sweet and undoubtedly the best night of my career to date.
"I'd love to City do the same and I think it's the club's next step. There will be disappointments along the way and I know that there have been some hard times in this competition in recent years - but that's what happens when you are up against the best.
"We have to be on the ball for both games against Barcelona because you're playing against such high quality that one lapse of concentration will cost you the game."
"It's not easy because I've just arrived from Africa and I will have had five days of training before we play Newcastle. I have to take it step by step and wait for the right opportunity to present itself.
"If I am needed, I have a good record against Newcastle - I've scored three goals in two games against them.
"They are a good side and are strong at the back but they are coming to our stadium and we need to win this game. Four days later we'll be playing Barcelona and we need to go into that game on the back of a strong performance."
Bony, 26, was City's only January signing and was preferred to Stevan Jovetic in manager Manuel Pellegrini's Champions League squad. Pellegrini will hope Bony can take some of the pressure for goals off Sergio Aguero, with Jovetic and fellow striker Edin Dzeko having managed just nine between them so far this season.
Meanwhile, midfielder Frank Lampard believes City will win the UEFA Champions League at some point, and sees the double-header against Barcelona in the last 16 as the perfect test.
The 36-year-old said: "This is a trophy every big club needs in their collection and, the way City are heading, it is one that will happen at some point. These sorts of games are the ones you have to win if you are going to go on and win the competition.
"There were many years when I was at Chelsea when success was very close - I think I've played in four or five semi-finals and also lost a final against Manchester United, so to actually win it in 2012 was extra sweet and undoubtedly the best night of my career to date.
"I'd love to City do the same and I think it's the club's next step. There will be disappointments along the way and I know that there have been some hard times in this competition in recent years - but that's what happens when you are up against the best.
"We have to be on the ball for both games against Barcelona because you're playing against such high quality that one lapse of concentration will cost you the game."
By: FIFA.com
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