Player’s personal coach believes he is at a level where he can start for any of Europe’s biggest clubs
Antoine Semenyo is at that stage where he is the hottest topic in the country. Part of it is his affordable – in today’s market – buy-out clause, running for only the first two weeks of January. But the also because Semenyo is an extremely good footballer, one of the best forwards in the Premier League.
One of the best in the world, according to his personal coach Saul Isaksson-Hurst, a player currently at a level where he can start for Europe’s biggest clubs.
“Antoine could play wherever he likes,” Isaksson-Hurst told Hayters. “He could play for Real Madrid, he could play for Barcelona, he could play for any team in the world. He’s that good, he’s sensational. He’s ready to take on the world.”
The 25-year-old Ghana international has scored eight goals and provided three assists in 16 appearances for Bournemouth in the Premier League this season. Last season, he scored 11 and supplied six in 37. But it’s not just the numbers, which are moderate, it’s also the player’s pace, power, tenacity, accuracy and skill.
Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea have all shown interest in activating Semenyo’s £65m release clause, while Manchester United and Tottenham made enquiries for him in the summer. It is not clear whether they retain that interest. They certainly have been linked. City are understood to be in the strongest position to trigger the clause after Chelsea pulled out of a deal.
Isaksson-Hurst is not surprised about the number of clubs interested in the player.
“He could play for literally any one of the top clubs, wherever he wants to go,” said the coach. “Everyone would want him as well. He’s a sensational player with a great mentality. He’s got everything.”
Semenyo’s performances have also drawn public praise from Pep Guardiola, who has called the forward “an extraordinary, extraordinary, extraordinary player. His energy, his confidence, his movement – unbelievable.” United coach Ruben Amorim called him “a special player”.
If City do not go ahead with a deal for the player in January, he will be available in the summer with an even lower release clause, as stipulated in his contract. More clubs will be keen on him then. But the player’s camp insist he remains focused on Bournemouth for now. Isaksson-Hurst said the winger has no intention of easing off.
“It’s a big year for him,” he said. “There’s been a lot of talk about moving, but he’s not going to take his hand off the brake. He wants to help Bournemouth and be one of the best players in the league.”
