Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth has become one of the most attractive teams to watch in the Premier League. The frenetic pace of their matches has lifted ‘The Cherries’ to sixth place, just two points below Manchester City.
And, in that frenzy, Antoine Serlom Semenyo (Chelsea, 7-1-2000) plays a key role. The winger, signed from Bristol City in January 2023, six months before Iraola’s arrival, in exchange for 10.25 million euros, has become Bournemouth’s ‘machine gun’: only Haaland has shot more times than him (63 ).
The performance graph of Antoine Semenyo.Driblab
On his way to the highest scoring season of his career
It is not surprising, therefore, that the Ghanaian international, who has prevailed over Kluivert, Tavernier, Ouattara, Sinisterra and Brooks in Iraola’s 1-4-2-3-1, is on his way to completing the best season at the national level. career goalscorer. He scored eight goals with Bristol City (Second) in 2021-22 and 2022-23 and with Bournemouth, already in the Premier, last season. This season, in only 15 League games, he has already recorded four goals and one assist.
“I have a number [de goles] in mind. It’s written down in a journal along with other goals I’ve set for myself, but I keep it to myself. Only my brother knows,” he reveals.
I have a number [de goles] in mind, but I keep it to myself
Antoine Semenyo
His speed, verticality and power – he measures 1.85 meters – to attack spaces suits Iraola like a glove. Semenyo can also boast of being the fourth player in the Premier League who completes the most dribbles (35) and the eighth who has the most progressive drives. [de más de 10 metros hacia la portería rival] perform (66).
“He is assuming more responsibility. Last season he often started from the bench or, when he played 60-65 minutes, he began to decline. Now he manages to maintain that level, but, even so, he has many things to improve. I tell him this every time. days. It is not yet complete. We demand a lot from it because it can give a lot,” says Iraola.
He is assuming more responsibility, but he still has many things to improve. I tell you every day: it is not complete
Andoni Iraola
Semenyo not only attacks, he also defends. He is, in fact, the sixth player in the Premier League who commits the most fouls (30). “I am happy with his numbers, but I am even happier with his attitude,” Iraola emphasizes. “He has all the ability in the world and he also helps at the back,” remarks his teammate Lewis Cook.
The importance of Iraola
Iraola’s praise for Semenyo is reciprocal. The Ghanaian praises the evolution he has experienced since the arrival of the former Athletic right back to the Vitality Stadium bench.
“Iraola’s management is very good. He is frank and direct. We analyze the games to see where I can improve, how I can score more goals and be more effective for the team. He insists a lot on attacking the far post,” he says.
Iraola has helped me see where I can improve, how I can score more goals and be more effective for the team.
Antoine Semenyo
Rejected by Arsenal, Tottenham, Palace…
Semenyo’s path to the elite was full of ‘curves’. He was rejected by ‘half’ Premier: Arsenal, Tottenham, Fulham… Millwall also gave him ‘pumpkin’, but the ‘no’ that hurt him the most was from Crystal Palace after eight months on trial.
“When you’re 15 or 16 years old, you don’t know how to deal with it. I had a lot of doubts, but those experiences have helped me be the footballer I am today,” he tells ‘Football Focus’.
I had many doubts when I was 15 or 16 years old, but those experiences have helped me become the footballer I am today.
Antoine Semenyo
His father’s shadow: “Everyone says he was better”
Antoine Semenyo has a footballer brother, Jai. He plays for Eastleigh FC, of the English Fifth. His father, Larry, a midfielder, played for Ghanaian side Okwawu United. A ‘shadow’ that ‘chases’ him.
“All our relatives remind us that he was better than us. They don’t stop talking about it all the time, but, unfortunately, there are no images and we haven’t been able to see it,” laments Iraola’s ‘machine gun’.
