Why Chelsea Could Regret Missing out on Wilfried Bony Transfer

When a striker is the leading goalscorer in any major league, heads inevitably turn.

Wilfried Bony was the man who had that effect in the Premier League in 2014, and a mega-money move (£28 million) from Swansea City to Manchester City has followed this week, per the BBC.

But has he joined the wrong club?

Manuel Pellegrini's side is flush with strikers. It already has the vast talents of Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic to choose from, not to mention Alvaro Negredo, currently on loan at Valencia.

Bony doesn't return from the Africa Cup of Nations until the end of January at the earliest either, so he's hardly a signing to cover injuries. It's not totally clear what game Pellegrini is playing with him—is it long or short?—but time will tell no doubt.

The immediate need for a player of Bony's qualities at Chelsea is a little clearer.

While we can only speculate as to which striker could well be a casualty of Bony's arrival at Eastlands, the picture is a little clearer in west London.

Didier Drogba's homecoming has become the perfect send-off for the Ivorian, having left so soon after his winning penalty in the 2012 Champions League final. There were rightly questions raised about his ability to serve Chelsea at the age of 36, but he's proved a shrewd bit of business by Jose Mourinho.

Michael Steele/Getty Images

When Diego Costa was struggling with injury in October and November, Drogba led the line and got Chelsea through it, keeping their challenge progressing on all fronts.

He can no longer perform so consistently for an entire season, though. That fact is clear, and as Mourinho continues to evolve this squad of players, he needs to be strengthening it equally.

Where next if Drogba retires?

We saw Chelsea pull off some excellent business this time last year. Nemanja Matic returned to the club, and regardless of his Champions League status—he was cup-tied after appearing for Benfica in the group stage—Mourinho looked beyond it.

It wasn't about 2013/14; it was what lay further ahead. Chelsea were growing their team player by player, and Matic was a key part of that process.

What Chelsea lacked in defensive midfield back then, they lack in attack now.

Given Bony's availability, Mourinho may well have missed a trick.

Beyond this season, the odds are Drogba will not be around. And he needs to be replaced.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Diego Costa and Loic Remy will remain, but every team fighting for honours like Chelsea needs the depth that is essential in the modern game.

A youngster such as Patrick Bamford may well be drafted in to boost numbers, although Mourinho will be envious when he looks at City's considerable reserves.

Those four strikers—five if we include Negredo—are international class and far from being goal-shy.

Injuries can ravage Pellegrini's squad between now and May, and they could arguably cope without batting an eyelid now that Bony has arrived.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Not only that, without European football this season, he qualifies for the latter stages of the Champions League.

By that fact alone, City are a considerably more formidable proposition. Throw in his goals and presence up front, and the £28 million Swansea received for his transfer is looking like a bargain.

Bony is the type of player who has flourished at Chelsea in the past. Like when his compatriot Drogba first arrived in England, he's well-known in football circles, yet his profile away from the pitch doesn't precede him.

It's Bony the footballer who has endeared himself to the Premier League. It's Bony the goalscoring front man who will endear himself to the Etihad Stadium too.

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

He fits the ball for what Chelsea will need come July, but instead he'll be wearing a lighter shade of blue.

You can't sign them all—although Chelsea and City for that matter have tried that tactic in the past—but Bony is a player whose transfer would have made sense.

Gems in January are rare. Chelsea have missed out on one.

Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes.