Pep Guardiola says he is “over the moon” with Antoine Semenyo after the Ghana international’s blistering start at Manchester City earned him the Premier League Player of the Month award for February.
The 26-year-old forward has made an immediate impact since arriving from AFC Bournemouth in January, producing a run of performances that has electrified City’s attack and delighted his manager.
Semenyo struck three goals and provided one assist in five Premier League matches during February — scoring against Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham and Leeds United — to claim the prestigious honour after topping a six-man shortlist.
Guardiola could barely hide his admiration for the Ghanaian’s rapid rise.
“I’m so happy for him,” the City boss said.
“He’s an incredible guy. He deserves it.”
Dream month
The award crowns a remarkable opening spell for Semenyo, who last week also marked another milestone by making his UEFA Champions League debut against Real Madrid.
That appearance completed a remarkable personal journey — making him only the fourth player to have played in non-league football, all four professional divisions in England and the Champions League.
For Semenyo, the recognition represents a dream start to life at the Etihad.
“This is a brilliant moment for me,” he said after collecting the award.
“To win the Premier League Player of the Month so soon after joining City is something I’ll never forget.”
Yet the Ghana forward insists his focus is firmly on the bigger picture.
“My focus now is to keep improving and help City achieve the best possible results.
“There is still so much to play for, and I’m really excited about the final part of the season.”
Ghanaian history-maker
Semenyo’s triumph also places him in elite Ghanaian company. He becomes only the third Ghanaian player to win the Premier League Player of the Month award, following Tony Yeboah for Leeds United in 1995 and Andre Ayew for Swansea City in 2015.
The accolade underlines his immediate influence at City, where his versatility has seen him deployed across the front line and even in attacking midfield roles.
With 15 Premier League goals already this season — his most prolific campaign to date — Semenyo currently sits just behind Erling Haaland and Igor Thiago in the race for the Golden Boot.
City’s new weapon
His form has also ended a long wait for a City player outside of Haaland to win the award, with Raheem Sterling in December 2021 the last to do so.
Semenyo’s success came after topping a shortlist that included Viktor Gyökeres (Arsenal), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), Dango Ouattara (Brentford), Benjamin Šeško (Manchester United) and Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool).
The winner was decided after combining the public vote on the EA SPORTS website with the verdict of a panel of football experts.
City’s dominance of February did not end there either.
Guardiola himself was named Barclays Manager of the Month, capping a stunning run of form that has kept the champions firmly in the hunt on multiple fronts.
With the decisive weeks of the season approaching, Semenyo’s explosive arrival could yet prove one of City’s most important signings — and Guardiola knows it.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh