The past month has been looking like Antoine Semenyo’s season at the Etihad as he hits the ground running at Manchester City.
It has been a smooth transition for the 26-year-old, who has already scored six goals since joining the club from Bournemouth in January and has emulated his impressive performances at the Vitality Stadium.
But how? How can a team switch from mid-season to title contention so easily in the middle of a season? It starts with a simple message from Josep Guardiola.
“When I came, the first thing he said was just keep playing,” Semenyo told Sky Sports. “Play freely, express yourself, shoot, dribble, do whatever feels right for you.
“He’s a passing team and he doesn’t want me to take away my game because we have the ball.
“There are moments in the game where I can express myself, so that gives me a lot of confidence.”
Sunday, February 8th 4pm
4:30pm kickoff
Guardiola’s message to Semenho hints at a “new Man City”, although he has previously been criticized for his supposedly robotic approach to the game, which works against free thinkers.
Guardiola has found space in his squad for maverick talent, and Semenyo has benefited from this.
Semenho expanded on what he has learned from Guardiola so far, saying: “I think the way Pep wants to play is the kind of thing he wants to commit to as a defender.”
“I want to bring in a midfielder and if a space opens up I can either go in there or go back.
“It’s all the little things that I don’t think about, but he does. I’m thinking about it now because of what he says so often.”
“Adapting to this system has definitely been key for me and I feel like the players around me have made it very easy for me.
“And they give me so much direction, but it’s also positive and they obviously push me to score goals. So they make life easier for me.”
Life at Man City has been easy for Semenyo, but it is very different to what he is used to. Despite the team’s shortcomings, compared to the high standards previously held, Semenyo still got into a car aiming for victory.
The team that won six of City’s last eight league titles may now feel like a bygone era, but it took Semenyo just 26 days to reach a cup final with his new team.
“It’s a crazy feeling. To be honest, I’ve never been to a final before,” Semenyo said at the Adidas Pred v F50: The Game event.
“I’m just pinching myself and obviously we’re going to play Arsenal, it’s going to be a top final, a top team.
“These are the moments that every footballer dreams of. I’m lucky to be living that reality.”
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Highlights of the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg between Manchester City and Newcastle United
However, Guardiola will stress to Man City’s side not to consider themselves “lucky” to be there. The games are coming fast and City have four competitions to win.
It begins with a trip to Anfield on Sunday to take on Liverpool in a match that was England’s answer to Spain’s El Clasico in recent fixtures.
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Semenyo leads Bournemouth to tie at Anfield in season opener
Already a star at Anfield this season for his former club, scoring twice in Bournemouth’s opening game, Semenyo is relishing the chance to do it all over again on Super Sunday, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
“This is a statement game,” Semenyo said.
“It’s probably one of the most important games of the season, so we want to go there and threaten and win at the end.
“It always makes you feel bad watching as an outsider, but when you’re a part of it, it’s on a different level. There’s a fire in your belly, and these games bring it out.”
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Marc Guech and Antoine Semenho explain their January move to Manchester City ahead of the ‘season-defining’ match against Liverpool at Anfield
If this season had ended, Semenyo would have already scored the best goal of his senior career. But that’s not enough.
Freedom to express myself at Manchester City is not enough.
Semenyo wants a tangible return in a season he feels is worthy of Team of the Season honors, and will stop at nothing to ensure he gets it.
Semenyo picks the best team in the Premier League so far
“I always wanted to be part of Manchester City,” Semenyo said.
“But the hard work continues. If we want to be as successful as previous Man City teams, we need to catch up with Arsenal now and hopefully win all the other trophies we have.”
“Obviously there were some results that didn’t go our way and we had some draws here and there.
“Before the Newcastle game, the manager told us we needed to get that fire going again.
“That fire in our bellies will give us a fresh start and hopefully a win at the end of the season is on the cards.”
