Antoine Semenyo’s transfer from Bournemouth to , which was formally introduced on Friday morning, represents probably the most spectacular growth but within the profession of a participant who as soon as give up soccer altogether.
Not so way back, Semenyo was battling within the decrease leagues for Bathtub Metropolis and Newport County. Now he’s , enjoying for in all probability the best supervisor within the sport’s trendy historical past.
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“We’re always watching gamers all around the world,” mentioned Hugo Viana, Metropolis’s director of soccer. “Antoine was the one we most wished. He has proven he can carry out within the Premier League. He’s humble, hard-working, skilled and completely centered on being a greater footballer. He’s splendid for us.”
Semenyo declared himself prepared to fireplace Metropolis’s Premier League title problem, saying: “It’s going to be a problem to get into the title race however I’m able to be a part of this journey.”
“I’m so proud to have joined Metropolis. I’ve watched them over the past decade underneath Pep Guardiola, they usually have been the dominant staff within the league in addition to attaining wonderful issues within the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup,” he mentioned.
Semenyo’s physicality is a part of his success – Reuters/Paul Childs
The qualities that make Semenyo so extremely rated
What makes Semenyo such a devastating participant? There are the plain bodily items – he’s a massively highly effective runner, as he has demonstrated with lung-busting targets in opposition to Liverpool and Fulham earlier this season – but additionally supreme technical abilities. Few gamers can match his exceptional two-footedness, with Semenyo able to unleashing stinging photographs with both boot.
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Semenyo’s father Larry, who performed to a excessive stage in Ghana, deserves the credit score for this two-footedness. From an early age, his son was inspired to kick something he may, together with balls of paper and empty cans, with each ft. By the age of six, Semenyo has mentioned, he was snug on either side.
“My first impression was ‘wow, this man is blockbuster,’” says Saul Isaksson-Hurst, a person abilities coach who labored with Semenyo through the summer time. “His ball-striking off each ft is correct up there as among the finest I’ve seen.
“He has fairly an unorthodox approach. He likes to strike the ball with an open foot, nearly like a knuckleball, so he will get quite a lot of dip and motion. I do know quite a lot of gamers who’ve the same approach, however I don’t know anybody else who can do it off each ft with that consistency.
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“He’s a machine, and he’s a machine with the ball. You’ll be able to have all of the athletic qualities however doing it with the ball, that’s the actual sport changer. That’s what units him aside.”
Semenyo’s approach is uncommon however efficient – Reuters/Ian Walton
There have been no clean roads to the highest for Semenyo, who by no means performed in a Premier League academy and was incessantly turned away by London’s prime golf equipment as a youngster. He hung out at Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Chelsea, Fulham, Crystal Palace, Charlton Athletic and Millwall, however none of them saved him on. Millwall mentioned no on 5 separate events.
It was rejection by Palace, on the age of 15, that lastly broke the younger Semenyo’s spirit. He stepped away from soccer for a complete yr earlier than he was invited to an open trial at Bisham Abbey. He subsequently met Dave Hockaday, previously the supervisor of Forest Inexperienced Rovers and Leeds United, who satisfied him to maneuver to varsity in Swindon. From there, he was picked up by Bristol Metropolis.
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Of the swap from London to Swindon, on the age of 16, Semenyo advised the Earn Your Stripes YouTube channel: “I went off the radar. None of my buddies knew I had moved. I knew I wished to be a footballer so I knew I needed to make that sacrifice, to be away from my buddies.”
‘I watched him for 5 minutes at 18… that was sufficient’
Semenyo was loaned to Bathtub Metropolis after which Newport, the place supervisor Michael Flynn transformed him from a central striker right into a winger. “I really like him,” Flynn tells Telegraph Sport. “He’s so humble, his manners are impeccable. He’s an actual credit score to his household. He got here in with a smile on his face every single day, which is so necessary – particularly with gamers on mortgage.
Semenyo, from London, spent 5 years at Bristol Metropolis with three mortgage spells earlier than his transfer to Bournemouth – Getty Photographs/Marc Atkins
“I watched him for 5 minutes at 18 and that was sufficient. He was highly effective, fast. Left foot, proper foot. As a result of each of his ft had been so good, he may go down the wing and put a cross in, or he may minimize inside. And he was so robust. There have been occasions when huge League Two gamers had been attempting to bully him, they usually simply couldn’t get close to him. He had that uncooked power.
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“I bear in mind telling just a few huge golf equipment that they need to signal him. I additionally did the identical with Ben White [the Arsenal defender, who spent the 2017–18 season at Newport]. I don’t do this with many gamers, however these two had been distinctive. It comes from their upbringing and their work ethic.”
Semenyo spent solely half a season with Newport earlier than he was recalled by Bristol Metropolis, amid critical curiosity from Chelsea. “I used to be devastated,” says Flynn. The transfer to Chelsea didn’t materialise, however different Premier League golf equipment had been watching intently, and Bournemouth finally accomplished a deal in January 2023. They paid about £10m for Semenyo, who by then had turn into a Ghana worldwide.
Semenyo has since improved with every marketing campaign, scoring eight targets in his first full Premier League season after which 11 final yr. This season, he scored 10 in 20 league appearances for Bournemouth, together with a dramatic last-minute winner in opposition to Spurs earlier this week. It proved to be the right farewell.
“My finest soccer is but to return, I’m certain of that,” he mentioned upon becoming a member of Manchester Metropolis. Nobody who has labored with him on his journey, from rejection after which up by way of the divisions, would disagree.
Semenyo could be the additional goalscorer Metropolis want
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Who did Metropolis beat to land Semenyo?
This was a uncommon switch the place the participant had the entire prime groups within the Premier League chasing his signature. Manchester United wished him, as did Tottenham. However each had been overtaken within the race at a reasonably early stage.
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes is aware of Semenyo properly as he was working at Bournemouth when he was signed from Bristol Metropolis. Bournemouth might have been braced for a late transfer from Liverpool however it was Metropolis who had been capable of get the deal going shortly. Chelsea additionally made enquiries earlier than pulling out of the deal. The competitors for him intensified as his , value £60m up entrance with the remaining in add-ons, was extensively recognized.
It emerged simply earlier than Christmas that Metropolis was the participant’s most popular vacation spot.
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Hugo Viana, Metropolis’s director of soccer, mentioned: “He made it clear to us instantly that it was Metropolis he wished to hitch. His enthusiasm for this soccer membership has been clear all through this course of.”
What is going to he deliver?
Metropolis want targets to get again within the title race. Sure, Erling Haaland has hit the 20-goal mark once more however he wants assist from elsewhere. The hope is for Semenyo so as to add targets and likewise create from both flank,
Viana added: “He has enormous high quality. Two nice ft, tempo, energy, a behavior of influencing video games and, importantly, actual room for development and growth.”
Semenyo describes himself as “chaotic” and can add to Metropolis’s firepower. “I really feel very chaotic on the attention, simply spontaneous and might do something at any second. I’ll be enjoying with a smile on my face, and I hope I do for the followers as properly,” he mentioned.
The place and when will he play?
Curiously, when Newcastle had been seeking to signal him, Eddie Howe was contemplating enjoying him down the center. However Haaland occupies that place for Metropolis, so Semenyo will function off both flank. Savinho is injured for as much as two months, so the instant competitors is the likes of Jeremy Doku.
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Semenyo will probably be registered for home video games however will solely be within the Champions League squad for the knockout phases, with Metropolis on the verge of qualifying.
“As a child you at all times dream to play within the Champions League. Thank God I’ve bought that chance now,” he mentioned. “Hopefully we get by way of to the following part – will probably be a dream of mine, to listen to the music, to stroll out on the pitch and simply the little issues like enjoying with the footballs. It’s a dream come true. I’m trying ahead to it – I can’t wait.”
