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The Obi One Podcast - Episode Summary: Wilfried Bony
Podcast Overview Podcast Title: The Obi One Podcast Hosts: Chelsea and Nigeria legend John Obi Mikel, along with Chris McHardy Guest: Wilfried Bony, former professional footballer Episode Title: Wilfried Bony: Secret Wenger Meeting | Rejecting Arsenal | Yaya v Drogba | Magic Of Winning AFCON Episode Description: A candid discussion with Wilfried Bony on his football career, including significant moments, his near-transfer to Arsenal, and the dynamics within the Ivory Coast national team.
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Key Highlights
Introduction
- Wilfried Bony is celebrated as a cult hero at Swansea City and a League Cup winner with Manchester City.
- Bony reflects on pivotal moments in his career, including his near-transfer to Arsenal and his experiences in winning the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Ivory Coast.
Arsenal Transfer
- Bony recounts a clandestine meeting with Arsène Wenger during his time at Swansea, where Wenger expressed interest in signing him.
- Despite the lure of joining Arsenal, he ultimately chose a move to Manchester City, which he felt was more aligned with his ambitions.
Dynamics of the Ivory Coast Team
- Discusses team dynamics within the Ivory Coast squad featuring stars like Didier Drogba and Yaya Touré.
- Bony reflects on the competitive spirit and camaraderie within the team, indicating that Drogba was perceived as the leader.
Winning the African Cup of Nations (AFCON)
- Bony shares the emotional journey of winning AFCON in 2015, describing the challenges faced and the team's determination.
- Highlights the pressure of penalty shootouts and the psychological burden on players during critical moments.
Personal Insights on Legendary Players
- Names Yaya Touré as the best player he played with, praising his intelligence and physical prowess.
- Discusses the contrasting styles of current strikers like Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, emphasizing Haaland's goal-scoring ability and movement.
Playing Under Pep Guardiola
- Bony shares insights on his experience playing under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, highlighting Guardiola's tactical approach and emphasis on positioning.
- Notes the challenges players face in adapting to Guardiola's demands for quick decision-making on the pitch.
Reflections on Career Choices
- Bony explains his decision to turn down a lucrative offer from China, valuing his career in the UK and the opportunities it presented.
- Emphasizes the importance of ambition and the desire to play at the highest levels.
Cultural Impact of Football
- Discusses the unifying power of football in Africa, particularly how the Ivory Coast national team helped bridge political divides during times of conflict.
- Reflects on the post-AFCON celebrations and the profound joy football can bring to a nation.
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Key Concepts and Themes
- Ambition and Career Decisions: The significance of strategic career moves and the impact of choices on a player's legacy.
- Team Dynamics: Insights into how leadership and camaraderie shape a team's performance.
- Pressure of Competitions: The mental aspect of football, especially in high-stakes situations like penalty shootouts.
- Cultural Significance of Football: The role of football in promoting unity and national pride in African countries.
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Conclusion Wilfried Bony's journey through professional football is filled with significant milestones, emotional challenges, and reflections on the impact of football beyond the pitch. The episode captures his candid insights on team dynamics, personal choices, and the cultural significance of the sport in Africa.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOWilfried Bony's Arsenal and Tottenham Talks
2:25 to 4:40
Bony shares his experiences with Arsenal and Tottenham during negotiations.
“Then try to be in the right position to score goals.”
Journey from Swansea to Manchester City
4:40 to 7:17
Bony discusses his transition from Swansea to Manchester City and his goal-scoring journey.
“And of course, Manchester City, an unbelievable club.”
Playing Style at Swansea under Michael Laudrup
7:17 to 9:46
Bony reflects on Swansea's tiki-taka playing style under manager Michael Laudrup.
“I got free kick Which I was not the shooter Sigison was the shooter I said, today I'm shooting Today it's me, I'm shooting So, you know, I was upset outback by my goals.”
Best Teammates: Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba
9:46 to 12:06
Bony discusses his experiences playing with Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba.
“So he moves everywhere with Michael, Leo Brighton, the people on the midfield, Guzman, Rodledge, Nathan Dyer, all the players are coming and playing games.”
Training Under Pep Guardiola
12:06 to 14:01
Bony shares insights about training with Pep Guardiola and his tactical approach.
“And John always talks about the fact his intelligence.”
Understanding Game Preparation and Strategies
14:01 to 15:53
Wilfried Bony shares insights on how to anticipate defenders and adapt to different teams.
“dot moon so he called me don't move don't move stay i wanted to don't move i said look i wanted to participate in the game he said don't move stay in that position and exactly the ball was coming in that position.”
The Path to Winning AFCON 2015
16:48 to 20:10
Wilfried Bony recounts the challenges faced by the Ivorian team leading to their AFCON victory.
“So I said, okay, thank you to be honest.”
The Pressure of Penalties in AFCON
20:10 to 22:44
Bony discusses the intense emotions surrounding penalty kicks during crucial matches.
“But when I saw the second one also missed the penalty, I started to worry.”
Football's Role in Uniting Ivory Coast
22:56 to 24:51
Bony reflects on the power of football to bring peace and unity during political turmoil.
“You know how football unites and brings us together.”
Celebrating AFCON Victory in Côte d'Ivoire
24:51 to 26:55
Wilfried shares memorable stories about the celebration following their AFCON win.
“I've got to ask, what was the party like after you won the African Cup of Nations, Equatorial Guinea, right?”
Show all 21 chapters
Comparing Impact: Drogba vs. Yaya Touré
26:55 to 28:00
Bony discusses the influence of Drogba and Yaya Touré on Ivorian football.
Unexpected Moves: The China Transfer Saga
28:00 to 29:50
Learn about Wilfried Bony's experience with a potential transfer to China and its impact on his career.
“But the good thing is that when I arrived there, the first three months, everything was correct.”
Reflections on Career Choices
29:50 to 31:28
Bony reflects on his decision to reject a lucrative deal in China and his desire to stay in the UK.
“And they were getting big money for you, obviously.”
Ambitions and Trophies: The Arsenal Question
31:28 to 33:56
Bony discusses his ambitions in football and whether he regrets not joining Arsenal.
“Guys, I will go the next day I will go the next day You know, when you're young You got your ambition, everything But if this one repeats It happens Second time and you say, now you go.”
The Modern Striker: Comparing Greats
33:56 to 36:26
Exploration of the different attributes that make top strikers like Haaland and Kane unique.
“League Cup with City and you won a league title in the Czech Republic?”
Didier Drogba: The Monster Mentality
36:26 to 38:42
Bony shares insights on Didier Drogba's mentality and performance in high-stakes games.
“I think it helps the way Manchester City play because they don't need him to come to play.”
Aura and Presence in Football
38:42 to 41:23
Discussion on the importance of aura and character in football, illustrated by Drogba's presence.
“I think it's the confidence and the character.”
Dangerous Players: Who to Fear
41:23 to 42:00
Bony talks about the toughest players he encountered and the dynamics of training.
“in Chelsea with being concurrent with a lot of big strikers, Chemchenko, Crespo and Kazman, stuff like that.”
Physicality in Premier League Football
42:00 to 43:50
Learn about the evolution of physicality in Premier League football over the years.
“So when he passed close to, he passed close in his back, he slapped him and then he said, guys, respect.”
The Future of African Nations in the World Cup
43:50 to 45:46
Explore the potential for African nations to win the World Cup in the future.
“Do you think it's not as physical like it used to be when we played?”
Focus and Mentality in Football
45:46 to 46:36
Understand the importance of focus and mentality for success in football.
“It's going to be difficult, but it's possible.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00Wilfried Bony:When you want your spring break to feel like... And your kid's pool day to feel like... And your hotel bed to feel like... Ooh, and room service to feel like... Because at Hilton, hospitality feels like... Your cabana's ready. Would you like fresh towels? It matters where you stay. Book now at Hilton.com. Hilton. For this day. Spring is here, and there's a whole new way to chai at Starbucks that's made perfect for you. Choose your sweetness, dial it up, or keep things light. Add a touch of pistachio, a hint of strawberry, or vanilla, or make it a spring classic with lavender. Because this season, there's endless ways to chai at Starbucks.
0:56Wilfried Bony:It is going to be amazing. We've been talking to this man. before we welcome him and we all know who that man is he is in the room give us a breakdown john of course great rivals you represent nigeria this fella represents go to the war yeah what a player he was what a player a player i got uh the the pleasure to play with so many times um when you talk about physique strong power strength he had everything what a player um and of course played for a massive club, you know, Manchester City, you know, which is great. But I think I had one over him, of course, when we played in the 2013 African Cup of Nations.
1:37Wilfried Bony:I had the pleasure of knocking him out from the tournament and then we went on to win. But yeah, but on and off the football pitch, what a fantastic guy. Lovely, lovely human being. I'm going to stitch you up here, John. Who could win an arm wrestle? Didier Drogba or this man? I'll go with Reboni any day. Any day. Any day. Ladies and gentlemen, he is here. He's been very patient as well with us. 16 goals and 56 caps for Côte d 'Ivoire. He won the African Cup of Nations, as you well know, in 2015. Goals, Vitesse Arnhem. Goals, Swansea. Goals, Manchester City. Back to Swansea as well. Stoke City on his CV as well.
2:17Wilfried Bony:Ladies and gentlemen, give her up for Mr. Wilfred Boni.
2:25Wilfried Bony:Wilfred I don't know what was worse your dance mood or your singing voice you've got a singing voice like me my friend one thing though John this man could score goals oh he can score goals he's just brilliant he knows the good thing with Bonnie though he knows he doesn't move much around he's a poacher
2:44Obi One:he knows how to get goals and that's something he was really really good at thank you yeah I know that I'm like a box player So it's important to know the defender, the blind side of the defender, and to use that in the opportune moment. Then try to be in the right position to score goals.
3:02Wilfried Bony:You were an incredible striker, Wilfred. You and I and John, we were having a conversation before this podcast. A lot of people might not know this, but the two teams that are playing right now, Arsenal and Tottenham, you almost joined them both. Tell us more. Okay, so back on the day in 2013-14, 2015, before to join Manchester City, I was in Swansea.
3:30Obi One:First of all, Swansea play against Arsenal, and that's the first time I meet Arsene Wenger there. And then he came to me, it was in a hotel which my personal coach was. and we exchanged some words where he was saying, ah, we look, we are trying to get you in Arsenal, you are interesting, but your salary is already big. So we start to laugh and then I would say, but Arsenal is a big club, but we will see. First of all, don't win tomorrow. That's the most important for us. And then for Tottenham, I hear that. And then I contacted Adebayo, at that time he was playing there. And he said to me, I hear that also.
4:19Obi One:I went to him and started to exchange some words. And then he said to me, yeah, if you came here, it will be good. I will guide you. You are my little brother. And from there, we enjoyed talking. But at the end of the day, CT came. And then I joined CT. Right.
4:40Wilfried Bony:And of course, Manchester City, an unbelievable club. I want to just ask though, we were joking, who could win in an arm wrestle? Didier Drogba or you? Who would win?
4:52Obi One:I think Didier, Didier. He got more experience. He got more experience, so I choose him. Yeah, yeah.
4:59Wilfried Bony:So your time at Swansea, you spent time at Swansea and then you moved to Manchester City. Tell us, how did that move come about?
5:08Obi One:Okay, we started the second season in Swansea. We started very well. And the first year I scored 17 or 18 goals. And the second season started a bit difficult in the beginning, but from October we started to score goals. And I think the club started to talk about me and then thinking about getting me in the top four clubs, which was my... my hands. So I decided to work more and then having that opportunities which was important for me and for my for my clubs and for my family. So when the moment came, before the last game, we were talking, as I say, about Arsenal, Tottenham, but three days before the last game against QPR on the 1st of January 2015.
6:05Obi One:We got a call then City is interesting. Wow. Yeah, I was I wanted to score 10 goals because me and my personal coach at that time you had a bet. We decide to put 10 goals to get more opportunity, more chance to move. Right. Because we say or first year we score 18 goals. So if middle of the season we score 10 goals we're going to attract the big clubs right that's what we decided and then at the end of the day we score i was on the bench i was hungry i was nervous i was not happy uh when they put me on the bench and go misplay and i was not happy i said no i should have played i'll score more goals than him you know at that time i should have played and when the moment came they put me in the pitch and then i went there i scored goals we were we finished the game with 10 players but the fact Then the 10 goals were on my head So even after I scored I took the ball and ran And put the ball in the middle of the pitch I wanted to score again the second goal You know what I mean?
7:06Obi One:So the players were like Bonnie, calm down You're winning Yeah, it's just draw It's good for us We are one player less I said, oh, sorry Guys, sorry, but Yeah, in my head it was like this And then during the game I got free kick Which I was not the shooter Sigison was the shooter I said, today I'm shooting Today it's me, I'm shooting So, you know, I was upset outback by my goals. But at the end of the day, so when we finished, the coach came to me and saluted me. He said goodbye. So from that moment, I know then probably was my last game in the Swansea shot. I think that Swansea team, we were talking about it off air.
7:45Wilfried Bony:You know, we talk about possession. We talk about tiki-taka. That's what we used to call you guys, the tiki-taka of the Premier League. How did that come about? Is it just the manager that gave you guys the freedom to be able to play out from the back so easily? You kept the ball so well. Even before we saw Pep Guardiola come to the... You guys have been doing that in Swansea.
8:07Obi One:Yeah, because when you see our team at that time, probably Ashley Williams, maybe two other players was more than 180. So all of the players, they were short. yeah they were short so probably they were faster and we got michael londrop which is technical players we all know him and he put that mindset of controlling the game by having the ball so me when i came there i was like wow the team played the way i wanted to play because in netherland where i come from it was the same way of playing so quite was easy for me to adapt yeah and put my physical impact in the game to help the team. So the tiki-taka, what we do, it was magnificent.
8:58Wilfried Bony:Betwinner, home of two winners. I've heard, Wilfred, I've spoke to a few ex-1z players. Michael Loudrop, legend. Barcelona, Real Madrid, Denmark. A lot of them tell me he was still the best player in training as the manager.
9:15Obi One:Yeah, it was so clever when we play Rondo and sometimes I have to kick him. I get him injured because I was not happy, I was not playing. You have to kick your own manager. I kick him first and then I kick my players also. So yeah, I did everything to get him to put me on the pitch. So yeah, he was so intelligent on the Rondo, in the position game. you can see then he got the IQ very developed and it was easy for us to to teach from him and then getting the experience and then getting the chance also to to learn and be concentrate to to advance on everything we we did at that time and then when you were there were you there when Michu joined
9:58Wilfried Bony:did you play with him how good was he because I remember when he joined oh my god I know you were there you were scoring goals but then he came and he joined Swansea he was he just started scoring you know he just set the world on fire like everybody that was talking about Michu, Michu, Michu.
10:14Obi One:Yeah Michu I think the the style of playing of Michael Lundrup doesn't need a striker so Michu was the guy who can play number 10 and be also he can project himself to be number nine so the way of moving the team moving the way where it's allowed him to be on top to come back play in the middle so you can't control him, you don't see him, you can't put the players to match him. So he moves everywhere with Michael, Leo Brighton, the people on the midfield, Guzman, Rodledge, Nathan Dyer, all the players are coming and playing games. So it was difficult for the defence to stop him because it always came from the back.
11:01Wilfried Bony:You've probably been asked this a million times, but just talking about someone as intelligent as me too, you played with some incredible players. I look at David Silva, Man City, Yaya Toure, Cote d 'Ivoire, Didier Drogba. Who, Wilfred, for you, was the very best? Who was the best teammate or player that you played with?
11:21Obi One:I would choose Yaya Toure. Yaya Toure? Yeah, I would choose Yaya Toure. Didier will not be happier. I can't imagine. I'm a striker, so yeah, I think he's not going to choose me. He's going to choose all the players who can pass him the ball, which I will understand. But I think Yaya Toure, his IQ, when you see him, he looks slow. But when he decides to run, I think… When he decides? When he decides to run, yeah. It's like a machine.
11:47Wilfried Bony:It's like a machine.
11:47Obi One:When he got his first five yards, it's finished. Yeah. He's strong. He's fast. He's very clever. He can go to 40 meters with the ball on his feet, which the defender tried to kick him. Yeah, so I think he's the one.
12:05Wilfried Bony:Intelligent. You know, we've spoken. Yaya's been on the podcast. Watch it, folks. If you haven't already or listen to it. And John always talks about the fact his intelligence.
12:15Obi One:Yeah, his IQ, I don't see. I think him and David Silva, we can put them in the same level. you can put them in the same day yeah you have to raise a guy who can give you a ball from 50 yards and sometimes can score for 40 yards and it look like so it look easy one day I come to the dressing room and I start to see show me your groins how it's possible that you score goals like you want to give you a freaking you want to pass the ball you want to pass the ball like a cross like it's unbelievable and on top of that he can defend when he decides everything is really when he decides Yeah. So you pass in the ball, it does everything.
12:55Obi One:Yeah.
12:55Wilfried Bony:And then, of course, we talk about that move from you going from Swansea to Manchester City. Tell us, obviously, you joined, it was during McHugh's, right? McHugh's brought you. But then McHugh's left and then you played under Pep Guardiola. Can you tell us?
13:11Obi One:I mean, a lot of people don't know how crazy Pep is. With Pep Guardiola, I done the procession with him when I came back from stock. so the thing that i saw was crazy we have one training it divides the pitch like a tennis tennis pitch so everyone play in his boxes so one day we press i wanted to move there he said no bonnie don't move i don't want to be in that position just be between the left stopper and the left fullbacks between them i said but i want to move there he said no this guy fabian they're going to make the move at that time you're going to be free because i know you want to score inside foot you want to be free in the penalty box so this is this is a place where you will be at the end so but before the game you stay here and that was a game we play friendly game against dot moon so he called me don't move don't move stay i wanted to don't move i said look i wanted to participate in the game he said don't move stay in that position and exactly the ball was coming in that position.
14:14Obi One:So the players have to understand. You have to be focused. And on top of that, you have to play quick. Because as you say, every game is different. You play today against Chelsea. Tomorrow is United. So all the defenders are different. So you need to anticipate. But what we do there, before even him, we got, I don't know before, before every game, I started the defender and then the midfielder. so I know the blind side I know how they move I know who want to anticipate who want to stay there who want to play the duels who is faster who is technical so I know everything so this one helped me so when I went to do the preseason with him I was I find that easy but only the movement in the pitch which is completely different as you see some games with Ryan Sterling with Leroy Sané they are not in the wide sometimes he put them stay in the wide Sometimes they say, stay with the central defender.
15:14Obi One:So you saw that with the left fullback also, with the guy, Klichilchia, the way he came there. But that's the place also you want his striker to be there, the wingers also. So he was very clever.
15:30Wilfried Bony:Did you like him? Did he like you? Did you like him?
15:32Obi One:Or did you clash? In the football ways, of course. I wanted to stay there. But he said to me, yeah, I don't have any problem with that. but I'm not counting on one player to do, to be a striker, you know, we change everything. So it's going to be difficult for you to keep going playing, but your way of playing.
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16:31Wilfried Bony:Well, if you served it warm, he'd probably throw it in your face, say, and storm off. And nobody wants that. So drink it cold or not at all. Jägermeister. Damn, that's cold. Drink responsibly. Jägermeister liqueur, 35 % alcohol by volume. Imported by Mast Jägermeister, US, White Plains, New York.
16:48Obi One:You need games. You need games. So I said, okay, thank you to be honest. And here I have to look for another team.
16:54Wilfried Bony:And off you went. Now, a lot of people might not know this. And I want to talk about Cote d 'Ivoire. Because you joined Manchester City off the back of winning the African Cup of Nations. with this country, this great country, of course. Talk to us about that experience, Wilfred. Take us back there, winning the African Cup of Nations. This man, you did it two years before with Nigeria. You did it in 2015, Wilfred. Take us back, paint a picture.
17:20Obi One:Okay. In the African Cup at that time, it was very difficult because we were not the favorite team at that time, 2015. It was very difficult. Didier left the team. We got some experienced players left the team. So we got some young players, which they were hungry. They wanted to play and they played with a lot of engagement. So that helped the team with the less experienced players we got, like Yaya Toure, Kolo, Tene Shaka, Salomon, Gervinho. And it was very difficult. So we started the group stage, 1-1, Joe, stuff like that. So last game we scored, we won. And then we have to play Cameroon. I think we met only the difficult teams there.
18:10Obi One:We played Cameroon and we got an affair with the Cameroon because in the year before that, we played a game here in Ivory Coast, which was very difficult for us. We needed a draw. So we played very crazy things at the end of the day, at the end of the game, which Kolo and the goalkeeper was playing, passing the ball. He's been all at once. It was very difficult. So that game, we took it like a revenge. So when we won, we scored. I think it was from that day, we know we might create something. So guys, let's see. And then go to play against Algeria, which was the best team last two years. They were the best team last two years.
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18:51Obi One:So it was very difficult to start the way they played tic-tac. So we spoke to Seredier and TOT at that time. I said, look, you got Mahrez, this guy. guys kick him once make sure you don't get to euro card but the first drills make sure you get him and then yeah we try to be very physically and at the end of the day we score we control the game a bit and when you get a chance to score we score the score we score and then uh we know then physically they will be less efficient so that's that's where we can hurt them because technically they were on top of everyone but we just need to be together and to face them and also try to to be compact to not get them to not let them play with on the in the small space so for us it was very difficult but at the end we made it so when we pass that stage we know that guys we see the semi-final we're sure then we're not gonna it's not gonna be the same like algeria uh Cameroon, we got now, Congo, we have to win.
19:59Obi One:So we didn't give them any chance. We go hard on them. We score, we control the game, we press them. And then when we went to final against Ghana, yeah, very difficult things happen. I missed the penalty. That was crazy. But I was okay when I missed. I said, not happy. But when I saw the second one also missed the penalty, I started to worry. as you know in africa when you miss like this you think about your parents you think about your family about your family you'll say oh look that's gonna be dangerous you're not thinking about yourself you're thinking about your other you say oh me i'm going to travel anyway so my family is saying so i hope nothing gonna happen then so i was like i pray for copa to at least to block the first three to block at least one yeah so he can give us a bit of chance so when he stopped the guy i think he should over the bar and then i was like oh family can't go to
20:56Wilfried Bony:work that so you know just talking about that yesterday i was with your friend solomon calou and also i interviewed him for the podcast and i asked him about that he told me just what are you saying he said the day before the game he called his family he told him he said if he ever gets to the penalty shooter he told them he said pack up your things and leave the country
21:21Obi One:yeah he said he told them he said yeah it's very very crucial moment when you reach a penalty as you see in 2012 gervinho when he missed the penalty yeah so when we came 2015 we got a penalty gervinho turned his back he said i don't want to shoot i said look so imagine a player saw his caliber you say you don't want to shoot so if you take yourself you say okay i'm the one going to shoot and then everyone look at you say guys think about your family yeah so you see from the moment you took the ball from the middle of the pitch and to walk into the penalty points guys you see you walk from from africa to paris because you think about your family you think about everything you've been doing in in in your football way or your family has been doing there everything can stop in one penalty.
22:12Obi One:So please, don't put that on me. Yeah, it's crazy. I missed the first. The second one missed. I was like, what's happened? But back of my head, I was thinking, we play against this team in 92. So probably that was the goalkeeper who saved the team. And I hope, when I see the second miss, I say, I hope. The goalkeeper is going to save us. Same like in 92. So, yeah, it was a bit crazy to experiment that. A few words about our crowd sponsors.
22:45Wilfried Bony:Betwinner is your reliable partner in the world of sports betting. Enjoy placing bets on any sports event with great odds and maximum convenience. Visit betwinner.com now. So, it just shows how much, you know, you talk about Ivory Coast, Africa. We love football. Football for us is everything. You know how football unites and brings us together. but sometimes when it comes to this kind of situation whereby you are taking the penalty or i'm taking the penalty our family has nothing to do with it but they go after our family it's crazy just i don't know if you were in that ivory coast team when you guys obviously here in ivory there was a war that was breaking out i don't know which year it was and because of football your team the ivory coast team you guys actually stopped the war were you in that team if you were Can you tell us how the situation came about and how you guys were able to stop that war that was going to happen?
23:42Obi One:I hear the same story. And when I spoke with Baki, I think there were five. Didier, Kolo, Baki, Aruna Dendane. Yeah. You know, when, as you say, when Ivory Coast and African team playing, it's all the country. All the countries united to support their team. so at that time the pay was divided because of politics so football is something what we take it like a religion so to reunite everyone here so when this one come when you be in that situation you speak with your with your heart because you want the peace in your country so i'm sure then And they got more inspiration because they were not talking just for them, but talking for the people in Ivory Coast.
24:36They want to see the people once, not divide.
24:40Obi One:So the message when they left, I think it helped the country. And you can see that when you win or when you lose, you see the difference that it can create. So it was a very important message for the country.
24:53Wilfried Bony:I've got to ask, what was the party like after you won the African Cup of Nations, Equatorial Guinea, right? You won it in Equatorial. You come back to the Côte d 'Ivoire. Take us through the week of partying. What stories can you tell us, Wilfred, from you guys partying like it was 1995?
25:12Obi One:So when we won the Cup, first of all, we didn't sleep because in a hotel party until the morning. and then we have to go to ivory course so when we reach the airport the pilot make like maybe five or ten runs so we can see the people waiting for us in the airport wow that was crazy he was going around yes or five or ten times around so we could see all the people they're waiting for us wow it was crazy it was crazy so when we learned we went out guys it's something like you know what i'm talking about yeah yeah yeah you know you know you think like wow i've been young you know yeah we run behind the bus of the players yeah now you are there you are the one make people run with the cap so it's something then you're gonna live with you forever and the the country where you united the country in the airport it was when you see the line you took the bus to go to the to to the to the pitch in ivory course yeah it was crazy guys if you see our face we got all eyes red eyes because we could not sleep and by the way keeping dancing everything all the week party everywhere you go you go to see your family you see a lot of people which was good because i didn't think about the penalty yeah yeah we really enjoyed it it was something then we gave to the country which is gonna stay forever yeah i mean a lot
26:55Wilfried Bony:of people talk about i always i always find it fascinating because i know these two guys Drogba I played with my friend my brother played with so many years but then Yaya Torre I played against I know him but you know when you ask the Ivory Colts the Ivorians who do you think is the most who has the most impact football between those two what would you say
27:19Obi One:a lot of people go for Drogba a lot of people go for Yaya Torre I think talented is Yaya Torre but the impact is DJ Drogba don't forget that DJ Drogba started very early working in the media stuff you don't see him apart of maybe last two years you see him talk in the media and I think that's the most difference between them but the impact in the community we're going to go for DJ
27:46Wilfried Bony:ok I like that now one thing that some of you might not know you both played for the same team Stoke City now I've been told that Stoke pardon my French here, is a shito. I've heard that Stoke... I'm sorry. I'm not going to say anything to it. Easy there, mate. How was it? Did you enjoy playing for Stoke? What were your memories?
28:12Obi One:Guys, if you want my talk, I did enjoy. Because many things happened there. But the good thing is that when I arrived there, the first three months, everything was correct. a part of when something happened then they want to sell me in china everything changed and he wanted to send you to china yeah everything changed yeah tell us about that story can you tell us a little bit or no okay okay obviously a little bit yeah so we went to i went to stock and when i reached there everything was fine in the beginning at that time the china were very The football was coming up. Yeah. And then they put a lot of money, like Saudi Arabia did last five years.
28:57Obi One:And I went to find the coach who was there, Pellegrini. Pellegrini, Manuel, yeah. Yeah. And then I didn't know that that was interesting to me from China. We trained in stock. And one day, like before my birthday, the coach made an interview, which he announced in the club. are interesting on me. So if the players, if me, I'm interesting, yeah, they can arrange stuff for me to leave. Wow. Which I didn't know that. They wanted to sell you behind your back. Yeah, I didn't know that. So I was like, why do you say that? I don't know nothing about that. So I went to training ground, and then I see Charlie Adams.
29:41Obi One:I said, oh, Bonnie, you're going to for big money. I said, guys, I don't know anything what you're talking about. And from that day, when we finished play, from that day, after the 10th of December, I didn't play any game until the end of the season. Wow. Because I refused to go to China. Because you refused to go to China? Yeah, because I refused to go to China.
30:05Wilfried Bony:And they were getting big money for you, obviously.
30:06Obi One:Yes, of course, that was big money. I know, I saw the numbers, but I wanted to stay and then looking for things. You wanted to stay in Stoke? I wanted to stay in the UK and getting something else so yeah that's why I decided to stay but obviously they bring Beranio Sido which he was like 8 or 12 kilos more more than he was fast very fat at that time but yeah they treat me very badly there I sometime went to training and then I after the warming up I just shoot on the 18 years goalkeeper in the second team All the day Wow Because they wanted to frustrate you They wanted to get you out of the team They wanted to protest me Pushing me to go to China But yeah, it didn't work But even when you saw the amount of salary The amount of money you would make in China back then You still decided you wanted to stay in the UK Yeah, I decided I wanted to stay So that was crazy, yeah So looking back at that decision you made Now, do you have
31:21Wilfried Bony:You definitely wish you went to China
31:23Obi One:Be careful of what you want to ask Do you not see players going to Saudi now? Guys, I will go the next day I will go the next day You know, when you're young You got your ambition, everything But if this one repeats It happens Second time and you say, now you go. Yeah. You're not going to contact your family. You say, I'm here.
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32:45Obi One:Got your happy price. Priceline. I'll let you know what's going to happen next day. We finished. Yeah. Yeah, it was crazy. But it was nice. It was nice. It shows that I wanted to stay there for the football. And then other things, keeping my family close to me. And working very hard to come back. But it was difficult.
33:05Wilfried Bony:So no regrets? No regrets. No regrets. Do you regret not maybe joining Arsenal? If you had that chance again, would you have maybe joined Arsenal?
33:16Obi One:No, not really. Because obviously when I went to City, I have that ambition with my personal coach, then we need to find the top four. I need to play Champions League and I need to win at least a trophy in the Premier League or Cup or whatever. I need to win in England. I can't be there. I can't move out of the country without winning anything here. So I'm sure the only thing to get at Tumace was to join the top four clubs.
33:45Wilfried Bony:And you did that?
33:46Obi One:Yeah, the year after. And you won the League Cup with City? Yeah, with City. Against Liverpool. You won the Czech Premier League? No, I didn't win the Premier League. I just won the League Cup.
33:59Wilfried Bony:League Cup with City and you won a league title in the Czech Republic?
34:03Obi One:Yes, in the Czech Republic and the Cup with the Czech Republic also. And in the Netherlands, I won just a personal trophy, like best players of the year and top scorer of the year.
34:15Wilfried Bony:So as a striker, before every season starts, is there a target you're thinking, OK, this season, I want to hit this target, I want to score this amount of goals? Do you set a target for yourself?
34:29Obi One:I think every striker does it. All the strikers. But you're going to keep it personal. Because if you don't reach it… That's the deal. If you don't reach it, people are going back to you. So you don't see. That's what I say for me when we start the second season with the Swansea. Because I know I scored 18 goals first year. So I'm sure if I scored 10, it's going to warn the other big clubs. This guy has already score in the middle of the of the season 10 so it's possible he's caught again the next 10. So better we buy him now otherwise end of the year it's gonna cost more so that's what happened so all the all the striker has it.
35:13Wilfried Bony:When you look at all the strikers today Wilfred I mean there's three that spring to mind Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane and you know the next one Erling Haaland. I mean, you as a striker, how incredible is Erling Haaland? And what does he do that other mere mortals, human beings, simply don't do?
35:35Obi One:I think Haaland is different compared to the others too, because Hurricane, he comes to the ball. Mbappe also, he's been a winger. He loves dribbling and face one against one. Hurricane is just putting on the goal, nothing else. it's just maybe last two years it start to be like the target point of Manchester City. But this way it's just call the ball. You got all the players who can give him the ball so you don't care. Sometime I watch the game with second season or third or first season. During the game he maybe has 15 or 12 balls but he scored three goals. So they just brought him to score goals.
36:19Obi One:So that was the most important thing and he's the guy who want to score every game. One, two, three if he can. So it's upsetting for the goals. I think it helps the way Manchester City play because they don't need him to come to play. I'm sure that he doesn't get the quality of Harry Kane or Mbappe. So he stay there keep the ball let them play just call when you are in good uh um combination or in good association with your number 10 or the wingers for him to receive the ball while and it's very fast also so when you push the ball guys you can't do nothing betwinner your bets your wins
37:03Wilfried Bony:i mean you talk about strikers i have to ask you about this this guy i mean he he he probably would would be one of your players you looked up to didier drogba um your fellow country man before you joined the premier is there someone you looked up to and be like wow what he's doing the premier league how good he was i mean it was my teammate so i see him every day not even before
37:28Obi One:i i joined the premier yeah that was good when i was young yeah you see him playing you see the way keeping the ball the way make it make them play the way score some crazy incredible goal so you can see this guy he might have a good good body because when you see some goals against liverpool you see some goals against everton the preparation i think was the key for him so as young players you see this guy is is very good so and what he does also in the premier league when you know the defender yeah of the premier league at that time they were killer yeah and try to control them with his capacity of keeping the ball.
38:07Obi One:And also, he was good also once against one. Because he was not like the technical players, but he knows if he does his skills, he has to bring him to another direction for him to get the opportunity of shooting. So that was very good.
38:20Wilfried Bony:These guys, Wilfred, John Terry and Frank Lampard, they've all talked about DDA's monster mentality. The bigger the game, the bigger DDA-Drogba game. Did you see that? And what is it, that special quality? Because not all players, some players in the big games, they go missing. DDA, the bigger the game.
38:42Obi One:I think it's the confidence and the character. You know, when you go to the pitch, either your shoulder are going to show them you are the boss. You know the body language. That counts a lot. So if you come there and I'm going to play against Samba, if my body's like this, of course, it kills me. But if I come And first game First ball It shows them I'm there By the contact By the dress It knows then If I put my feet It's not going to move The ball doesn't move So it knows Ah I got a client So every ball I have to go 100 % And DJF Something like this It got also The fans behind And then the character Is there The confidence And he scores goals also Yeah So you know how He's good also When he has to act Yeah You know what I mean You know what I'm talking about He's very good at acting.
39:31Obi One:So that's a help. That's a help to maybe kill the concentration of the defender and then go on top of, go over him. So this is all skills. So we have to know if you want to destabilize one defender. Yeah, I mean, when I joined the club,
39:48Wilfried Bony:and obviously I didn't know much about it, but then when I joined the club, one thing you can never, you will always see with DJ Drogba, you know, you walk into a room, You think you have aura No you don't Yeah When he walks in He's big You know He likes his arrogance He has a lot of aura How do you We dealt with him At some point We just We gave up At the club We're like okay You are the man How did you guys deal with him In Ivory Coast When he walks in With that Aura That arrogance You know How did you guys See that Did you feel that
40:24Obi One:I think There were a lot of players Also So at that time, you don't see only him. So you see Kolo at that time, you see strong. So you look like you want to fight. So directly, you know, you see Yaya Turiba, that's the guy who look like lazy. Yeah. You know, after that, when you see Didea, of course, you got the presence, you got the charisma, you got the character. So you come, you say, big brother. Hey, how are you? You know what I mean? You come to salute. He's there. Oh, yeah. You OK. you know you play with him and then the way he salutes you you know the first time you know how he salutes you you know you know that so he done it to me in 2010 you okay I say yes I'm fine so he said okay you are my guy so yeah this is all things if you are getting intimidated it's going to be difficult it's going to be difficult so mentally you have to be ready and that's I think that's the main reason why he succeeded in Chelsea with being concurrent with a lot of big strikers, Chemchenko, Crespo and Kazman, stuff like that.
41:31Obi One:So you need to have a aura. And then he got that.
41:34Wilfried Bony:You talk about aura. I want to know, we've talked about who the best player is, but who's the hardest, Wilfred? Who is the guy that you would never mess with? Because he was a little bit scary.
41:46Obi One:Obviously, I didn't find that. But in the game or in training, sometimes you've got players, if you put your leg, you're going to break it. you got Vincent Kompanyi
41:55Wilfried Bony:you got
41:57Obi One:Mangala and Kolarov that's more technician between them but guys he slapped one day Jesus Navas in training the guy was coming once again one day before the games and then he received the ball and Kolarov wanted to come to do just and you just never put the ball five yards and then run like this. So when he passed close to, he passed close in his back, he slapped him and then he said, guys, respect. How you can pass me like this? Respect. So everyone was looking at him like this. What is doing this guy? So the coach was like, Kolarov, he said, yeah, tell him to respect. How you can pass me like this?
42:45Obi One:So yeah, Kolarov is some guy who, he can do crazy stuff, but he's very calm. But it's very dangerous also at the same time. Yeah. So, and then I play against West Ham defender. That was Collins, I think. And then Michael Reade. James Collins. Yeah, on that time. Michael Reade. Yeah. You know what I mean? Yeah, Winston Reade. Yeah, the big Kiwi guy. They want to kick every time. And you know the way West Ham played before? It was the same way as Stock was playing after. Yeah. Yeah. Second ball. Yeah. Guys, look, I'm arriving in the UK. and then every free kick, the goalkeeper took the ball and they put it in the box.
43:23Obi One:And Ashley said, Boney, come back. You're going to jump. Guys, I have to run there and kick in the ball back. Go back. Forward. Run back. Forward. That was crazy. So when you play against this kind of team, it's in short cross also. Then the guys, they want to kick every time. They're not like a football where they're just passing the ball and defend. So when you go against them, just be ready. Because when they come, it's to kill.
43:47Wilfried Bony:I mean, you watch the Premier League now. Do you think the game has gone soft?
43:52Obi One:Do you think it's not as physical like it used to be when we played? Of course. It's more faster, it's more technical, it's more tactical, but not physical as we used to do. We used to play at the time. But you can see even from the goalkeeper, they play from the back. The goalkeeper took the risk. Before, guys, I have to do like crazy walk in the stairs because I know Saturday I'm going to jump at least first half 15 times. Yeah. Because every ball is going to be on my head for me to kick or to keep the ball. So you just have to do it. But now it's more tactic. The goalkeeper has the ball. You rest.
44:31Obi One:Yeah. He's going to go to the fullback, midfielder. You have time to move, organize tactically. I think the game has become more faster, intelligent and also enjoyable, I can say.
44:45Wilfried Bony:In this day now, do you think if you were playing now, do you think it's more easier for you to score goals than it was back then?
44:53Obi One:I think yes. I think yes, because I'm used also to play in that time where we got a lot of defenders. With the team I play, we used to play a lot of goals. So I got that capacity of playing. and then with the physically also impact I have at that time, if you develop it more from this day, and that's why you see the difference of Haaland, because it's faster than me, way faster. But you can see then it's very strong. So when you push a defender, you know that he got that.
45:21Wilfried Bony:I've got to ask, listen, last couple from us. I've got to ask about an African nation, Wilfred, one day winning the World Cup. We saw Morocco and Qatar reach the semi-finals. We've talked about it a lot on this podcast. Are we getting closer to an African nation winning the World Cup, in your opinion?
45:45Obi One:I think it's possible. It's going to be difficult, but it's possible. If you see Morocco, last World Cup, went to semi-final. Lose against France. But I think all the players play in Europe now. Probably the same system. them. I think the only difference is the focus. The focus, the mentality, that makes the difference. Because how long we can stay focused, that's going to make the difference. Because we've got the same players as we decided when we were sitting there, when you see Congo play. You see the players, when you take them individually, you say, guys, they've got so serious team. But the name is not as big as before.
46:28Obi One:But individually, the players that got the series, serious players like in a group, it can create something.
46:36Wilfried Bony:Listen, Wilfred, thank you so much. Ladies and gentlemen, what a legend this man has given up for Mr. Wilfred Borney.
46:44Obi One:You're welcome. You're welcome, guys.
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From the publisher
The Obi One Podcast is on the road again, this time in Abidjan for a live event with special guest Wilfried Bony.
A cult hero at Swansea, a League Cup winner with Manchester City and an African champion with his beloved Ivory Coast, Bony looks back on his career and some of the sliding door moments within it.
he came close to a move to Arsenal after a clandestine meeting with then boss Arsene Wenger, why he spurned the riches on offer in China and the rollercoaster of emotions that he went through in winning the African Cup of Nations in 2015.
Bony also discusses the dressing dynamics of that Ivory Coast team which featured both Didier Drogba and Yaya Touré. Who was the top dog?
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