Antoine Semenyo: A Journey from Rejection to Premier League Success

Antoine Semenyo’s journey to the Etihad Stadium is a testament to resilience, especially when compared to his new teammates, many of whom have been competing at the highest levels since their early twenties and emerged from prestigious European academies. The Ghana international faced numerous challenges early in his career, having been rejected by Arsenal and Tottenham after trials, and failing to make an impact at Millwall. Additionally, Crystal Palace assessed him for eight weeks but ultimately decided against signing him.

It was former footballer and coach David Hockaday who recognized Semenyo’s potential during one of those trials. He approached Semenyo’s family, encouraging him to relocate from Greenwich, London, to Swindon. There, he studied sport science at Wiltshire Sports Academy while playing for South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, which Hockaday coached. After a standout performance against Bristol City’s youth team, Hockaday successfully advocated for Semenyo’s recruitment.

Following loan spells at non-league Bath City, Newport County in League Two, and Sunderland in League One, Semenyo returned to Bristol City well-prepared for Championship football. Under the guidance of coach Nigel Pearson, he received straightforward yet impactful advice: “Your best ability is running and shooting, so all you need to do is run and shoot!”

Embracing this guidance, Semenyo made significant contributions, netting 20 league goals in the subsequent season before securing a transfer to Bournemouth for £10 million midway through the following campaign.

Reflecting on his challenging ascent to the top, Semenyo remarked, “I’ve had to be a strong character. Emotionally and mentally, I’ve had to get really strong. I have my family, friends, and fiancée around me – keeping me uplifted and always pushing me. I’ve had to push myself quite a bit to get through a lot of hard times – it’s made me the man I am today; strong, fearless, and ready to attack the world.”

Semenyo continued to excel at Bournemouth, recording eight goals and two assists in his first full Premier League season, followed by 11 goals and five assists in the last campaign. As this season progressed, he almost equaled his previous tally, already scoring 10 goals, placing him among the league’s top scorers, second only to Erling Haaland and Brentford’s Igor Thiago.

His impressive performance means Semenyo arrives at Manchester City with more goal contributions than all players except Haaland. His statistics starkly contrast with those of fellow wide forwards; while Cherki and Doku have managed two and one goals, respectively, several others, including Bernardo Silva, have yet to find the net in the Premier League.

Phil Foden, City’s closest competitor for Haaland and Semenyo’s scoring prowess with seven goals, has struggled in recent matches, coinciding with City’s dip in form as they fall behind Arsenal in the title race.

Semenyo’s acquisition significantly enhances City’s chances of overtaking Arsenal in the league and strengthens their bid for the Champions League. His presence could also reduce the team’s dependence on Haaland, ensuring they remain competitive even when the prolific striker is neutralized.

Historically, City’s strength under Guardiola stemmed from a diverse attacking lineup; during their record-breaking title wins, multiple players consistently contributed goals. In the 2017-18 season, for instance, six players scored eight or more goals, illustrating the depth of their attacking threat. Even during seasons with fewer goals from individual players, City continued to succeed due to their collaborative scoring approach.

In the previous season, however, the attacking contribution was less balanced, with only three players achieving seven or more goals. Semenyo’s arrival could rectify this, as he possesses a lethal instinct in front of goal, something that has been noticeably absent in other squad members.

City’s sporting director Hugo Viana expressed his excitement about Semenyo, stating, “Antoine was the one we most wanted. He has shown he can perform in the Premier League. He is humble, hard-working, professional, and totally focused on being a better footballer. He has huge quality, pace, power, and the ability to influence games with significant potential for growth.”

Semenyo’s versatility, capable of playing effectively on either wing, adds another dimension to his game. Guardiola highlighted this aspect, stating, “He can play on both sides, right and left, and uses both legs exceptionally well. He played extraordinarily at Bournemouth in the past years.”

The arrival of Semenyo may pose challenges for players like Savinho and Oscar Bobb, both currently injured. While City has explored loan options for Bobb, Savinho’s future appears uncertain following an injury setback. His inconsistent goal-scoring record may have sealed his fate at the club, especially with Semenyo’s proven ability to convert chances.

Despite his work ethic, Savinho has struggled to find the net, contributing only five goals since joining City, with one in the Premier League. In contrast, Semenyo’s acquisition signals a decisive shift towards a more reliable presence in the attacking lineup, promising a brighter future for Manchester City as they seek to reclaim their dominance.