Antoine Semenyo is poised for another remarkable season with Bournemouth. The Ghanaian international showcased his talent in the Cherries’ impressive 2024/25 campaign, where he emerged as a formidable marksman. Last season, Semenyo netted 11 goals and provided five assists across 37 Premier League matches. These stats make him a promising contender to score consistently this season.
Semenyo’s performance was instrumental in helping Bournemouth secure a commendable ninth-place finish in the Premier League. However, the summer transfer window saw the departure of key defensive players Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen, who joined Liverpool and Real Madrid, respectively.
Loyalty and New Beginnings
Despite interest from Tottenham, Semenyo demonstrated his commitment to Bournemouth by signing a new contract ahead of the upcoming season. Loyalty in football can be as rare as controversial-free penalty decisions!
To gear up for the new season, Bournemouth secured a comfortable 3-0 victory against Everton in a friendly on Saturday, July 26. Goals were netted by Philip Billing, Dango Ouattara, and academy graduate Daniel Adu-Adjei, who had a successful loan spell at League Two’s Carlisle United last season.
After the impressive win over Everton, Semenyo expressed his gratitude on Instagram on Sunday, July 27, posting: “1/3 – Glory be to God.” His post received a like from former teammate Dominic Solanke, who has now joined Tottenham.
Challenges Ahead
Bournemouth’s success last season was largely due to Semenyo’s offensive contributions, complemented by Kerkez and Huijsen’s defensive prowess. Their departures leave a notable gap in the Cherries’ backline, hinting at potential defensive vulnerabilities this season.
Manager Andoni Iraola will likely lean on Semenyo for increased offensive efforts, especially given the team’s possible defensive gaps. Meanwhile, Tottenham remains interested in another Bournemouth defender, Illia Zabarnyi. The 22-year-old Ukrainian played a crucial role with 36 Premier League appearances last season.
Tottenham’s new boss, Thomas Frank, faces the dual challenge of managing domestic success and Champions League duties. If he seeks a reliable defensive addition, Zabarnyi could be the prudent choice this summer.