‘Real asset’ - Pundit names the one player Bristol City should build their team around

Nahki Wells’ reemergence at Bristol City has been one of their plus points of the season and now Hal Robson-Kanu believes that they should build their team around him.

Wells is the top scorer for the Robins in the Championship this season with seven goals in 18 appearances. The Bermuda international striker has also registered three assists with the latest being for Tommy Conway in the 1-1 draw with Swansea City last Saturday.

The 32-year-old has a more prominent role in the side this season after last season’s campaign was mainly spent on the bench. On the back of a brace against Coventry, he had to wait until the fourth league game of the season to get a start but has not looked back since. The experienced forward has built up a strong partnership with Conway, who he bonded with during his time in the Under-21’s earlier this year.

Wells’ experience is something that has been desired given how City have one of the youngest squads in the division. His career has mainly been spent in the Championship, making 323 appearances in English football’s second tier. Wells is 10 goals shy of scoring a century of goals in the Championship and on current form could achieve that feat this campaign.

Those at City know the strengths of Wells, but now others are beginning to see what he offers to the side. Former Reading and Wales striker Robson-Kanu analysed his performances on Tuesday and spoke highly of him.

"A seasoned Championship professional," said Robson-Kanu in the pre-match talk ahead of City’s Championship clash with Sheffield United. "He’s scored fantastic goals at this level and consistently delivered season in and season out. He’s a real asset for Bristol City.

“What he really delivers for them is that threat not only in behind defences but being able to link up play too. It’s not easy to do and particularly at this level when physicality is important.”

“He uses his pace at the right times throughout games consistently. The great thing about him is that he knows where the back of the net is.

“He can consistently score 15 plus goals in a season and he’s done it for QPR in the last few seasons. He’s beginning to show that he can do it at Bristol City too when they need him most.”

His goal against West Bromwich Albion was shown as an example of his ability to surprise defenders and show his true striker’s instinct. Antoine Semenyo curls a cross in and Wells is able to peel free away from the two centre-backs to header home.

“I think it’s movement there off the shoulder that you can’t teach that to strikers,” Robson-Kanu added. “You can’t teach that to players, in his perspective and Nigel Pearson’s perspective they will be very aware they can build a positive successful season around players like that.”