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Manchester City look set to welcome an addition to their squad at the start of the January transfer window, as they complete a deal for Antoine Semenyo.
According to Fabrizio Romanodeal ‘almost done’ to bring Ghana international to Etihad since Premier League Bournemouth side, as Pep Guardiola looks to strengthen its offensive options.
This means that Semenyo, who a release clause of £65 million with the Cherries, moves closer to Manchester City to challenge for the title in the second half of the season.
Where Antoine Semenyo could fit in at Manchester City
With Rayan Cherki, Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, Omar Marmoush, Oscar Bobb and Savinho already at the club, some fans may already be wondering where exactly the Bournemouth star will fit in.
City have recently lined up in a 4-3-2-1 system with Foden and Cherki playing behind Haaland, with Bernardo Silva, Tijjani Reijnders and Nico Gonzalez in a three-man midfield.
Signing Semenyo, however, would give Guardiola the opportunity to abandon that formation and move to a 4-2-3-1, with Gonzalez and Reijnders behind an attacking midfield trio of Foden on the right, Cherki in the middle and Semenyo on the left behind Haaland.
The Bournemouth star’s versatility allows him to play many roles, as the graphic above shows, but he has primarily played on the left flank this season, producing nine goals and three assists, according to Sofascore.
His powerful running, as evidenced in the goal against Liverpool above, could complement the slower, smaller styles that Foden and Cherki bring to the attack, giving Haaland a striker capable of matching his pace and power on the break.
While Semenyo could be a brilliant addition to Guardiola’s squad in the coming days, City have been linked with another Premier League star who could be an even better signing.
The star who could be a better signing for Man City than Antoine Semenyo
City’s current aim is to complete a deal for the Bournemouth star in the January transfer window, but they are also considering what they can do this summer.
According to Sky SportsManchester City are among clubs interested in a deal to sign Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi when his contract expires at the end of the season.
The report claims that the Cityzens want to offer him a free transfer to strengthen their backline, while John Stones and Nathan Ake could be heading towards the final throes of their respective stays at the Etihad.
Guehi could be an even better signing for City than Semenyo if they manage to win the race for his signature as a free agent next summer, as he has the quality to be a consistent performer at Premier League level.
Although Semenyo is an exciting signing, given he has scored 20 Premier League goals since the start of last season, the danger in signing strikers is that there is no guarantee of consistency.
Marmoush, for example, scored 15 goals and provided nine assists in 17 Bundesliga games for Frankfurt before his move to City, according to Sofascore, and he has produced one goal and one assist in 15 games for City this season.
Signing a proven Premier League centre-back is a slightly safer bet, as defenders don’t rely on needing to produce big moments, with goals and assists, as they are judged more on the consistency of their overall performances week in, week out.
|
Marc Guéhi (Premier League) |
24/25 |
25/26 |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
34 |
17 |
|
Goals |
3 |
2 |
|
Tackles + interceptions per game |
2.6 |
2.7 |
|
Clearances per match |
4.6 |
5.2 |
|
Duels won per match |
4.9 |
5.5 |
|
Ground duel success rate |
64% |
62% |
|
Aerial duel success rate |
54% |
69% |
As you can see in the table above, Guehi has been remarkably consistent defensively in the top flight since the start of last season, averaging similar across the board, while improving significantly in his aerial duels this season.
The England international, once described as a “monster” by journalist Bobby Manzi, has proven himself to be a dominant defender capable of commanding a back line in the Premier League, as he is also currently captain of Palace.
Guehi would also only be 26 at the start of next season, a few months younger than Semenyo, who turns 26 this month, meaning he would be a long-term signing for City, as well as a player who could hit the ground running.
The Palace and Bournemouth stars are both impressive Premier League players who would be good additions in their own right, but Guehi is a consistent and reliable defender, rather than a striker who relies on moments, which could make him a better signing for Guardiola.
Aside from the performance-based aspects, Guehi could also be a better signing for City as he would arrive at the club as a free transfer, rather than a £65m addition.
