World-Class Antoine Semenyo Drives Bournemouth to Unthinkable Heights

The Cherries supporters must have feared the worst when a significant number of first-team stars departed during the off-season.

However retaining one star turned out to be an total masterstroke, as the Ghana winger has inspired their climb to second spot in the Premier League.

Semenyo scored on two occasions and provided an assist as Bournemouth came from behind to beat the Cottagers 3-1 on the weekend, moving to within one point of Premier League table-toppers Liverpool.

His first strike to equalise was spectacular as he collected the ball on the flank, dodged defenders behind, took it to the touchline and fired the ball through Bernd Leno's legs from a narrow position.

He then, he assisted his teammate's goal before scoring in injury time on a fast break.

That brings him up to sixth league goals this season, second only to City's prolific goalscorer the Norwegian.

From the start of May, he has been directly involved in a greater number of goals than every other player in the Premier League (12 – eight goals, 4 assists).

Not bad for a player the Robins signed from the South Gloucestershire and Stroud College academy at the age of seventeen.

"It was a hard night to compete, but it made no difference to him," remarked ex-England midfielder the pundit on Sky Sports.

"He moves across that surface. An amazing, unique talent. So fantastic to see.

"It makes no difference if it's his right, left foot, makes no difference for him."

Semenyo in Flying Condition

Although nearly half of the club's first team departed in the off-season, Semenyo was linked with transfers to Manchester United, the Reds and Tottenham.

However instead he signed a five-year contract back on 1 July.

This has turned out to be excellent business for the Cherries, for he is among the in-form players in the league right now.

In the previous campaign, the 25-year-old forward reached double figures for the first occasion in his professional life – eleven goals in the Premier League, thirteen in all competitions.

This season, he has scored six times in his opening 7 top-flight games and set up three more.

Semenyo was asked following the game if this was the best form of his life.

"Yes, I'd like to think so," he responded. "I'm grateful to God massively. He has had a massive role in my journey and I'm just reaping the benefits now. So yes, I thank him constantly."

There will be clubs regretting they had taken the gamble on him before.

The player qualifies for the Black Stars through his parent, but he is hails from the capital. He was rejected by the Gunners, Spurs and Millwall as a youngster before ending up in a West Country academy run by ex- Leeds and Rovers manager the coach.

The Championship side signed him in 2017, but he needed loan spells at City, County and Sunderland before securing a place in the Bristol City starting eleven in 2020-21.

Earlier last year, he made the £10m move to Bournemouth – and he has been progressing continuously.

"In my opinion he is a player with confidence," commented boss Andoni Iraola.

"It has been growing with him. He has played in other divisions, earning his way into the Premier League. He is very fundamental for us."

His numbers are exceptional now. He is top in the league for challenges successful, first for ball won in the attacking area, second for high-speed runs and top five for runs with the ball. In addition to all those goals, naturally.

Team-mate Justin Kluivert remarked: "He is amazing. He demonstrates it every game these days. He is just top-tier."

'Iraola Could Manage Every Club'

The Cherries manager Andoni Iraola will be a coach in demand when he decides to move on.

He, a Spanish manager, has been at the helm since last year after the unexpected sacking of Gary O'Neil.

Several were not happy at the time, with the new manager not being a household name – and having only coached Cyprus, Mirandes and Rayo Vallecano.

But the hiring has been a outstanding success, with the club finishing 12th and then ninth.

The club has not been as high as second in the top flight after two games into a season.

Apart from his notable work in maintaining a successful team, even when it appeared all their key players were leaving in the summer, his strategies were perfect on matchday.

For six minutes he had three defenders on the pitch in place of 4. And that changed the game.

In the 78th minute he brought on a winger for a defensive player. They were 1-0 down.

Soon after, he substituted a winger for a defender. They were 2-1 up.

"It was necessary to take risks and introduce more attacking players and it worked," he said. "Our squad have to make the difference and in this match they delivered it."

Kluivert commented: "The manager is fantastic. If you consider even the guys that have left the club, how we are doing at the moment is remarkable.

"I often say that the driver of the team is the coach and he is driving us on a crazy path. Amazing driver, so we trust him."

Jamie Redknapp said: "He could manage every team in the sport.

"He improves individuals, everything they do is exciting. They have to enjoy him while he is here. For how much longer? It's uncertain?

"Is it possible for them to keep doing the impossible, like getting into the Champions League spots? They deserve it and everything is attainable as long as they retain the coach because he is that big an asset for the club."

Bournemouth Handle Off-Season Rebuild in Their Stride

Several felt that Bournemouth exceeded expectations when they finished in ninth place last season – and for a while there was even talk of European competition.

And then 3 of their back four – Illia Zabarnyi, Kerkez and Huijsen – left for several the continent's top clubs for almost £150m.

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