Chelsea could be very tempted to make a move for Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo in January.
Chelsea fans are split on Semenyo and whether the club should try to sign him or not. However, with a reported £65m release clause in his contract, the Blues may just bite.
You would not take Semenyo over Estevao Willian right now. The Brazilian has been fantastic for Chelsea this season and the sky really does look to be the limit for him.
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On the other hand, there is at least one current Chelsea winger most supporters would probably be willing to discard if it meant signing Semenyo.
Chelsea winger Pedro Neto holding ball
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Antoine Semenyo would be an upgrade on Pedro Neto
Pedro Neto has been one of Chelsea’s best players this season, scoring in their 3-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers just before the international break. However, Semenyo is a level above him.
They are similar wide men, both capable of playing on the right and the left. Semenyo, though, is quite clearly the better goalscorer.
This season, he has already scored more goals than Neto managed in the whole of the 2024/25 campaign. Semenyo is also a superior dribbler.
Player/Season League apps Minutes Goals Assists Dribbles per game
Antoine Semenyo (2025/26) 11 990 6 3 1.9
Pedro Neto (2025/26) 11 837 3 2 1.6
Antoine Semenyo (2024/25) 37 3,210 11 5 1.9
Pedro Neto (2024/25) 35 2270 4 6 1
Via Antoine Semenyo’s WhoScored and Pedro Neto’s WhoScored pages
Chelsea were linked with Semenyo earlier this year, so perhaps they could make a swoop for him in 2026. But all things considered, the 25-year-old should not be a priority for them, even if he does represent an upgrade on Neto.
Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo eyeing the ball
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Chelsea don’t actually need to join race for Antoine Semenyo
There is likely to be a lot of competition for Semenyo’s signature. At this moment in time, he is one of the best wide men in the Premier League.
Enzo Maresca already has Neto, Estevao, Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens at his disposal, though. Geovany Quenda is also set to arrive at Stamford Bridge next summer.
Unless Chelsea are planning to give up on Gittens, who has struggled in the Premier League this season, and sell Neto, signing Semenyo would not make any sense.