PABLO Hernandez believes Wilfried Bony is the "perfect" addition to Swansea City. Bony completed a £12 million move from Vitesse Arnhem this summer, overtaking Hernandez as Swansea's most expensive ever player.
Hernandez had cost less than half that a year earlier, but clubs always pay a premium for goalscorers and it is hoped Bony will hit the net regularly this season.
The 24-year-old bagged 31 goals in just 30 Eredivisie appearances last term, sparking Premier League interest.
West Ham were also rumoured to be tracking the burly frontman, but in the end it was Swansea who landed him on a four-year contract.
"I did not know this player before he came here, but he scored 31 goals in 30 games last year so must be good," said Hernandez.
"For us he is perfect, he is a strong striker and that's what we need.
"The team can now play with different systems, different players in different positions.
"We can change things in the game and that is good."
Bony made an instant impact for Swansea, scoring twice in the first leg of their 4-0 Europa League demolition of Malmo.
And equally encouraging was the quality of his link-up play with Michu.
The former Sparta Prague man netted his second when following up a Michu shot which came back off the post. That came after he headed home Wayne Routledge's cross to move off the mark.
It is hoped that Bony's arrival will allow Michu to operate in his preferred advanced midfield role more often.
The Spanish forward was often asked to lead the line last season.
And though he scored 22 goals, the former Rayo Vallecano player is more comfortable when deployed slightly deeper.
Bony is just one in a clutch of players who have been recruited over the last few months.
The likes of Jose Canas, Alejandro Pozuelo and Jonjo Shelvey have been added to the engine room, while Jordi Amat will provide a different option at centre-back.
Michael Laudrup is also chasing another striker as he builds towards a compact squad with genuine competition in every position.
"Good players have come in, different players and that's good for the team," said Hernandez.
"We have some different systems on the pitch and I think that is very important for the club.
"It's a hard season because we have to play in the Premier League, the FA Cup, the Capital One Cup and the Europa League. We need a lot of players in every area."
The bulk of Swansea's new arrivals have again come from La Liga. Capturing Pozuelo, Canas and Amat takes Swansea's Spanish contingent to seven as they join Hernandez, Michu, Angel Rangel and Chico Flores.
Hernandez transferred to the Premier League a year earlier and admits it took time to adjust.
But he believes there is not a huge difference between Swansea's style and the way Spanish footballers are traditionally taught to play.
"The Premier League is different, the game is different, but I think because the national team has won the European Championships and World Cup, other leagues have seen the Spanish style and that's influenced their football, so Spanish players find it easier to fit in," added the 28-year-old.
"I think more Spanish players will come here."
