Manchester Metropolis look set to welcome an addition to their squad early on within the January switch window, as they shut in on a deal for Antoine Semenyo.
In line with Fabrizio Romano, a deal “is nearly finished” to convey the Ghana worldwide to The Etihad from Premier League aspect Bournemouth, as Pep Guardiola seems to be to bolster his attacking choices.
Because of this Semenyo, who has a £65m launch clause with the Cherries, is closing in on a transfer to Manchester Metropolis to struggle for the title within the second half of the season.
The place Antoine Semenyo may slot in at Manchester Metropolis
With the likes of Rayan Cherki, Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, Omar Marmoush, Oscar Bobb, and Savinho already on the membership, some supporters might already be questioning precisely the place the Bournemouth star will slot in.
Metropolis have just lately lined up in a 4-3-2-1 system with Foden and Cherki enjoying behind Haaland, with Bernardo Silva, Tijjani Reijnders, and Nico Gonzalez in a midfield three.
Signing Semenyo, although, would offer Guardiola with the chance to desert that formation and alter to a 4-2-3-1, with Gonzalez and Reijnders behind an attacking midfield trio of Foden on the appropriate, Cherki by the center, and Semenyo on the left behind Haaland.
The Bournemouth star’s versatility signifies that he can play in quite a few roles, as proven within the graphic above, however he has predominantly performed on the left flank this season, producing 9 objectives and three assists, per Sofascore.
His highly effective working, as evidenced within the objective towards Liverpool above, may complement the slower and diminutive kinds that Foden and Cherki convey to the assault, giving Haaland an attacker who can sustain along with his tempo and energy on the break.
While Semenyo could possibly be a superb addition to Guardiola’s aspect within the coming days, Metropolis have been linked to a different Premier League star who could possibly be an excellent higher signing.
The star who could possibly be a greater signing for Man Metropolis than Antoine Semenyo
Metropolis’s present focus is on getting a deal finished for the Bournemouth star within the January switch window, however they’re additionally looking forward to what they’ll do in the summertime.
In line with Sky Sports activities, Manchester Metropolis are one of many golf equipment fascinated with a deal to signal Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi when his contract expires on the finish of the season.
The report claims that the Cityzens wish to snap him up on a free switch to bolster their backline, as John Stones and Nathan Ake could also be heading into the ultimate throes of their respective spells at The Etihad.
Guehi could possibly be an excellent higher signing for Metropolis than Semenyo if they can win the race for his signature as a free agent subsequent summer season, as a result of he has the standard to be a constant performer at Premier League degree.
While Semenyo is an thrilling signing, provided that he has scored 20 objectives within the Premier League for the reason that begin of final season, the hazard with signing attackers is there are not any ensures over consistency.
Marmoush, for instance, scored 15 objectives and offered 9 assists in 17 Bundesliga video games for Frankfurt earlier than his transfer to Metropolis, per Sofascore, and he has produced one objective and one help in 15 video games for Metropolis this time period.
Signing a Premier League-proven centre-back is a barely safer guess, as a result of defenders don’t depend on having to provide huge moments, with objectives and assists, as they’re judged extra on the consistency of their total performances week-in-week-out.
|
Marc Guehi (Premier League) |
24/25 |
25/26 |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
34 |
17 |
|
Targets |
3 |
2 |
|
Tackles + interceptions per recreation |
2.6 |
2.7 |
|
Clearances per recreation |
4.6 |
5.2 |
|
Duels received per recreation |
4.9 |
5.5 |
|
Floor duel success charge |
64% |
62% |
|
Aerial duel success charge |
54% |
69% |
As you’ll be able to see within the desk above, Guehi has been remarkably constant defensively within the top-flight for the reason that begin of final season, averaging related numbers throughout the board, while considerably bettering in his aerial duels this time period.
The England worldwide, as soon as described as a “monster” by journalist Bobby Manzi, has confirmed himself to be a dominant defender who can command a backline within the Premier League, as he additionally at the moment captains Palace.
Guehi would additionally solely be 26 by the beginning of subsequent season, a number of months youthful than Semenyo, who turns 26 this month, and which means that he can be a long-term signing for Metropolis, in addition to a participant who may hit the bottom working.
The Palace and Bournemouth stars are each spectacular Premier League performers who can be good additions in their very own proper, however Guehi is a constant and dependable defender, relatively than an attacker who depends on moments, which may make him a greater signing for Guardiola.
Man Metropolis have a much bigger expertise than Semenyo in “Rashford-like” 17-year-old
Manchester Metropolis arguably already possess a much bigger expertise than Antoine Semenyo on this 17-year-old star.
On prime of the performance-based facets, Guehi may be a greater signing for Metropolis as a result of he would arrive on the membership as a free switch, relatively than a £65m addition.
