Antoine Semenyo admits he’s well aware of the noise surrounding his future, but insists he has no regrets about staying at Bournemouth after a whirlwind summer.
The Ghanaian winger was among several Cherries stars linked with moves away after former teammates Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez, and Illia Zabarnyi sealed high-profile transfers. Yet while others chased new challenges, Semenyo chose stability, and that decision is already paying off handsomely.
Since arriving from Bristol City in 2023, the 25-year-old has grown into one of Bournemouth’s most dangerous attacking outlets. Now, with six league goals to his name, second only to Erling Haaland, he’s thriving ahead of Sunday’s trip to face Manchester City.
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Speaking to Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp, Semenyo opened up about staying grounded amid the speculation.
“I don’t think about it too much,” Semenyo said. “I try to stay present as much as I can. You see the news all the time, I see it as well, I’m not oblivious, but I try to keep focused.
“I’m enjoying my football here. If I’m not scoring goals, all of that goes away. I try to stay present, do the best I can for the team, score goals and whatever happens in the future happens.”
When several teammates left in the summer, Semenyo admits there was real uncertainty about what the new season would bring, until belief took over.
“When they all left, there was a lot of interest and back and forth with the club,” he recalled. “But I knew in my head that the manager’s got something up his sleeve this year. How we finished off the season last year was so good and we could continue, especially with the players we’ve bought in as well. I wasn’t too sure at the start but we’ve kicked on like a house on fire. I’m glad I committed to staying here because I’m enjoying every moment.”
Semenyo’s blistering start comes after a breakthrough 2024 campaign that saw him net 11 league goals. Now, he’s set his sights even higher, literally writing his targets down before the season began.
“With the journal, every year, I write my goals,” he said. “I always want to do better then I did in previous seasons. I set a challenge for myself, saying I wanted to push myself. I can help the team in many ways and compliments to the manager and the players, they’ve been so helpful. I don’t want to say too much [about what the challenges are this season], but double figures for goals and assists was up there. Passing the ball and shooting at the right time is also key for me. Those are the main ones.”
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So what would make a dream campaign?
“Fifteen goals would be great,” Semenyo smiled. “Only last year I’ve got double figures goals-wise and I like to think I’m a good finisher, so I can give myself the opportunity this year and really kick on. I work on my finishing a lot, in the off-season as well. I’ve been working with my coach in pre-season and we were working on very difficult finishes on tight angles.”
A natural with both feet, Semenyo also laughed off one of football’s longest-running debates, which side does he actually prefer?
“I’m right-footed… but using both is natural,” he said. “I remember being two or three years old, and I was in the park with my parents and I loved a kickabout. My dad said ‘you can use your left and right foot’ and I said ‘yeah dad, I can’. My mum was asking if that was normal and my dad said ‘just wait and see’. It’s evident now. It’s a rare thing but I’m blessed. It’s not knowing where I’m going and it’s tough for defenders, but I’m grateful for the ability.”
As Bournemouth sit second in the Premier League table, just four points off leaders Arsenal, talk of European qualification is beginning to bubble.
But for Semenyo, ambition comes hand-in-hand with humility.
“Anything is possible, but the manager says take it game by game because things can change quickly,” he said. “At every meeting and training session, everyone is at 100 per cent. I give props to the team and we stay grounded and do what we do best.”
