Manchester City’s new signing Antoine Semenyo set for debut in FA Cup tie
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Antoine Semenyo celebrating at the end of Bournemouth's 3-2 English Premier League home win over Tottenham Hotspur on Jan 7, when he scored a spectacular injury-time winner in what was his last match for the Cherries. The Ghanaian has since signed for Manchester City on Jan 9.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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MANCHESTER – Manchester City pulled off a major coup on Jan 9 by signing Ghana winger Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth on a deal running until 2031, bringing in the English Premier League’s third-highest scorer this season to bolster their title charge.
The 26-year-old, who has bewildered defences with 10 goals and three assists this season, arrives with City reportedly meeting his £65 million (S$112.3 million) release clause amid competition from Premier League rivals.
The versatile winger, who can operate on both flanks, may make his debut for Pep Guardiola’s side when they host third-tier Exeter City in the FA Cup third round on Jan 10.
Asked if his latest signing will play at the Etihad Stadium at the weekend, the Catalan said: “I don’t know whether he will start or not, but he will be selected, for sure.”
Another thing that Guardiola is sure of is the quality of Semenyo, whom he had been tracking for a few years, saying: “Everyone knows his qualities, right? He played extraordinary at Bournemouth and can play on both sides – right, left – (and) he uses both legs unbelievably.
“As a striker he can play as well, with his pace, and he knows the Premier League. Many clubs wanted him and he decided to join us. All I can say is thanks to him. Pretty pleased for the next years.”
The player himself, who began the Premier League season for Bournemouth with a brace against champions Liverpool and scored a stoppage-time winner in a 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Jan 7, expressed excitement to be working under Guardiola.
“I have watched City over the last decade under Pep Guardiola, and they have been the dominant team in the Premier League as well as achieving amazing things in the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup,” Semenyo said in a statement.
“They have set the highest of standards and it’s a club with world-class players, world-class facilities and one of the greatest managers ever in Pep.
“I have so much scope for improvement, so to be at this club, at this stage of my career, is perfect for me. It’s a real privilege to be here. My best football is yet to come, I am sure of that.”
Semenyo will join an already potent City attack featuring the league’s top scorer Erling Haaland (20 goals), Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku.
But Guardiola was tight-lipped when asked if City, who have also been linked with Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi, will be making any more January signings, considering that defenders Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol face lengthy spells on the sidelines.
Over at Chelsea, Liam Rosenior, who takes charge of his first game as the London club’s boss when they visit second-tier Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup on Jan 10, knows he needs to address the Blues’ red mist.
Chelsea have collected five red cards in the league this season, more than double the tally of any other team except Everton who have three.
The 41-year-old said on Jan 9: “They show passion, emotion for the shirt, which is a really positive thing. But we need to stay calm when we suffer a setback. But I don’t want to take the passion away from them.”
Rosenior’s last taste of managing in English football came in the sedate surroundings of Plymouth, where his Hull City side slumped to a 1-0 defeat to bring a disappointing end to their bid to reach the Championship play-offs in May 2024.
After a spell with French Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, who are also run by Chelsea’s owners BlueCo, he has been parachuted into one of the most pressurised jobs in English football.
Enzo Maresca became the latest manager to depart Stamford Bridge on Jan 1
But Chelsea have won just once in their last nine league games to slip to eighth in the table. The pressure is on Rosenior to secure Champions League qualification for next season, but the Englishman is unfazed.
“If you are scared or fearful, there is no point being a coach,” he said, adding that it is his job to take the team to the next level.
“I am going to work 24 hours a day. I am going to push them to try and be successful.” REUTERS, AFP
