The signing of striker Wilfried Bony has put Manchester City in pole position to retain their English Premier League title. It is a bold assessment - and comes from an icon of their fiercest rivals.

Former Manchester United captain Bryan Robson believes the Ivorian hitman, who just sealed a £28 million move from Swansea City, will bang in the goals to edge out Jose Mourinho's Chelsea, who hold a slender two-point lead over City at the top.

"He's just what they need - a physical threat who can play with his back to goal, deadly in the box, and can work off Sergio Aguero," the 58-year-old told The Straits Times on Friday.

Bony, who has drawn comparisons to compatriot Didier Drogba, was the Premier League's top scorer in 2014 with 20 goals and has struck nine times in 22 appearances this season.

Robson added: "Mourinho hasn't really rotated his team since the first week so fatigue will be a key factor going into the second half of the season. City needed a final piece up front, and they've now got that in Bony."

The former England skipper is in town as a guest of furniture giant Courts, in celebration of Singapore's 50th birthday. Fans can meet the legendary midfielder at the Courts Megastore from 1pm on Saturday.