Which Club Should Sign Semenyo?

Semenyo’s Strengths, Weaknesses and Rating Each Potential Destination.

Liverpool, Spurs, United, Chelsea and City. Not bad options for a 26-year-old who’s contributed more than 15 goal contributions in a topflight once. So why are they all so desperate to sign Antoine Semenyo?

Before I tell you that, let’s do some decluttering. Firstly, Liverpool: they need a versatile forward who can cover for Salah’s demise, Isak’s leg break and ultimately a pretty underwhelming attack. Spurs, apologies but I just don’t think you’re in this race, so I’m ruling you out immediately. United have recently set a precedent of signing ready-now Premier League stars from the less elite clubs; with Mbeumo and Cuhna, so far. Chelsea’s move for Semenyo signals a change in approach, the last time they signed someone for a fee who was aged over 25 was Raheem Sterling; Maresca has been acting peculiarly, the signing of Semenyo may settle his nerves. Manchester City may feel the need for increased fire power to ensure they can continue a title charge.

£65m for a player with the third-highest goal contributions this season so far isn’t a bad deal. If you drill deeper into those raw numbers, there are no skeletons in the Ghanaian’s cupboard; he outperforms his xG by 3.2 thanks to an incredible ball-striking ability. His most notable finishes come across the keeper from the right-hand side or via a near-post cut from the left. Both combine power and placement through a laces strike rather than a more finessed finish - something I’d like to see him add to his arsenal.

He is one of two players who have scored more than three goals with either foot so far in the Premier League alluding to his am-bipedal nature. A lack of variety of finishing doesn’t overly worry me however, you wouldn’t tell Steph Curry to stop shooting 3s; if it works it works.

Nominally a left-sided player, the 26-year-old can play on the right or even as a No. 9. Semenyo tends to stay wide and high when in possession. He rarely enters the central horizontal zone of the pitch and when he does, the ball is at his feet as he looks to drive into the penalty area to work a shot or a cut-back.

HIs dribbling is an obvious strength whether that it’s a drive from deep or a targeted take on around the box, he can go inside or out. I particularly enjoy watching him carry the ball down the byline before feigning to go inside whilst slowing down and bursting on the outside of his defender. 6th in progressive carries is an impressive number, something I’d imagine he will do less though as a he moves to a more dominant side. A weakness in his dribbling, and general play is his intricacy around the box. It’s just not his game; he rarely slides someone in from central areas or combines with teammates in successive 1-2’s to work his way into the box. I believe this is due to a lack of technical proficiency, but similar to his absence in variety of finishers it’s not something I’d be too worried about.

Semenyo’s physicality is also a valued asset, he sits in the 94th percentile for Aerials won (compared to Top 8 League wingers). His ability to compete for duels, in the air due to a tremendous leap or on the ground as he utilises his frame and strength to protect the ball, signals to a potential shift to a number 9. A side that truly looks to dominate the ball may disagree with this notion due to that lack of safeness and intricacy in possession, yet a side like Manchester United who excel on transition may rate his versatility highly.

So, the big question is, can he create? He’s done fantastically well carrying the ball over distance beating numerous players. Does he get his head up and complete the right action? Unfortunately, I can’t give you a yes or no answer. Semenyo is excellent at what he can do, but as stated before he does have weaknesses. However, surprising to me he places 13th in the league for shot-creating actions via a pass and, higher than I thought. He’s also 13th for passes into the penalty area. Nominally, after a drive to the byline, these are cut-backs. Akin to his finishing, a lack of variety may limit, but if he does it well, successful consistent actions overcome this in my opinion.

Which Club Is The Best Fit?

Liverpool

Liverpool are in a tricky place, a large investment in forwards hasn’t worked as well as they’d hoped for, so what do they do? Spend more, obviously.

Gakpo whilst performing statistically well this season, leaves their fans underwhelmed and wanting more from the Dutchmen’s performances thus far this season.

Potentially to be signed as a left forward, Liverpool won’t want to pigeonhole themselves into a position where their underperforming talented players show their ability later down the line. Wirtz, Gakpo, and Etikete have all played off the left, never mind 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha. So, the signing of Semenyo, fills a gap for the immediacy, but also further down the line due to his versatility.

He also adds value out of possession. And Liverpool are a side this season that have struggled to press from the front due to player’s natural tendencies, so they could do with his ability to defend.

Rating - 7/10

Man United

Stylistically, this may be the best fit. Whether Amorim adapts or not, there’s an obvious place for Semenyo on the left-hand side, the likes of Bruno and Mbeumo negate his lack of creativity and provide a willing runner for through balls or at the back post.

When they want to concede possession, he can also play as a vertical 9 who can compete for duels, with players like Cuhna or Mbeumo buzzing around him he wouldn’t have to be so neat and tidy around the box and play more as a talisman.

Rating - 7.5/10

Man City

Haaland, Cherki and Phil Foden all love a cut back. Something Semenyo can service. City may be the side who offer the 26-year-old the hardest battle for minutes. Doku, Foden, Marmoush and Savinho have all played on the left-hand side this season. Yet, as you can see below, he dovetails nicely when comparing to Doku and offers an alternative. Foden isn’t a consistent left-wing option and both Marmoush and Savinho should offer little threat.

Semenyo could battle his way into a team that stylistically suits him well, Nico O’Reilly’s ability to play in central areas allows Semenyo to hold his width and receive the ball where he wants.

Rating - 8/10

Chelsea

Chelsea spent just shy of £100m on left wingers this season on Garnacho and Gittens and as always there’s a lot of discussions around their excessive spending and greed. Whilst I disagree with their model… who cares? If they want to win sooner rather than later, adding Semenyo straight into their starting line-up works, decisions can be made later. Anyway, when the Ghanaian turns 30, the previously mentioned pair will only be 25.

A front four of Palmer, Neto, Garnacho and Pedro is nice, but where are goals? Semenyo adds this direct threat, who can also contribute immediately and would lead to a really beneficial match up. Not to mention he recently admitted to being a Chelsea fans so the fans would love him from the off.

Rating - 8.5/10