Antoine Semenyo has impressed since joining Manchester City from Bournemouth in the January transfer window.
Antoine Semenyo of Manchester City celebrates after scoring the second goal for his team during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 1
Antoine Semenyo has impressed since signing for Manchester City in January
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‘It’s freezing,’ chuckles Antoine Semenyo as he makes his way out of the Etihad corridors having spoken to reporters. He might have been cold but his form is red hot. The forward has hit the ground running at Manchester City with five goals in nine games since arriving at the club in the January window.
His opener at Fulham showed a goalscorer's instinct when he prodded home from close range to set City on their way to a vital victory as they clawed back ground on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League. His goal against Marco Silva’s men was also notable as it came with the 26-year-old starting in attack as a central striker alongside Erling Haaland. The winter arrival was in an attacking midfield role at Anfield while he’s also been utilised on the left and right flanks.
The player himself knows how his versatility can prove one of his most important attributes over the rest of the campaign, particularly with Haaland fatigued and Savinho and Jeremy Doku sidelined.
"Anywhere I’m required, I’ll play," he said. “I haven’t played as a number nine in a while. It’s only since I’ve come here really that I’ve been back in that position.
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"Being able to play in multiple positions helps. It (playing for City) is about being patient, understanding when to slow down the game and when to speed up and being in the right positions, being an option. It's a lot. But in a month I have learned so much and it is improving me as a player."
Guardiola, who has admired Semenyo from afar for many years before getting his man last month, believes the Ghana international has a skillset that makes him a threat wherever he plays.
"Winger, striker, in behind, he can do it," said Guardiola of Semenyo. "He has incredible skills and he is so open-minded and generous in the effort and he has an incredible sense of goal for the chaos of second balls."
He’s already scored goals in three competitions and next month will get the chance to make his debut in the Champions League, having been ineligible for the final two League Phase matches. The prospect of huge European nights was a significant motivating factor behind Semenyo’s decision to join City, and he is relishing the pressure of fighting on four fronts.
"We have that fire in our stomachs to go and win as many games as we can until the end of the season, and see what happens."
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