Why Chelsea could be in pole position to secure one of the biggest deals of the January transfer window
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Chelsea have reportedly decided against a move to sign Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo amid strong competition from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, defending Premier League champions Liverpool and title contenders Manchester City.
Sky Sports reported that the Blues had made an enquiry about signing the Ghana international in the winter window, while Mail Sport had gone a step further by claiming that the club have made a shock bid to land the 25-year-old, with the same report suggesting that Chelsea intended to blow all competition out of the water.
However, David Ornstein of The Athletic since claimed that the Blues had decided against a move for the Bournemouth man. But the Blues should not yet rule themselves out of the running.
Semenyo is currently one of the most coveted talents in English football, with his stock rising to unprecedented heights this season in particular after his exceptional start for Bournemouth. The winger scored 11 league goals and registered three assists for an impressive Cherries team that flirted with European qualification for large chunks of last season, but he’s already on track to eclipse those numbers this term after finding the net eight times in 16 matches while also contributing three assists.
The former Bristol City wonderkid is in the top 10 players for shot-creating actions and sits in the top five for successful take-ons leading to a shot at goal. He’s been wanted by the Premier League’s elite for a number of months but was persuaded to extend his stay at Bournemouth over the summer with a new contract following a mass exodus which saw Milos Kerkez, Dean Hujsen and Illia Zabarnyi all leave the Vitality Stadium.
However, Semenyo’s new contract notably included a £65m release clause which comes into effect next month - meaning it’s almost inevitable that he leaves south coast of England either next month or in the upcoming summer window based on the number of clubs vying for his signature.
How would Semenyo fit in at Chelsea?
Chelsea typically set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, which sees talismanic midfielder Cole Palmer play in the No.10 position behind either centre forward Joao Pedro or summer signing Liam Delap when everyone is fit.
Enzo Maresca’s men normally play with two wingers. Pedro Neto is the first choice on the right-wing on current form after registering five goals and three assists this season. Meanwhile, the left-wing position is slightly less straightforward with Jamie Gittens, Alejandro Garnacho and occasionally youngster Tyrique George all being used in that area. Brazilian youngster Estevao also provides cover on the right-wing and has shown promise in flashes, including a stunning goal against Barcelona in the Champions League.
Semenyo would naturally compete for one of these wide positions if he arrived at Stamford Bridge, but the beauty of signing him would be that he can play both positions with equal potency. For example, this season alone, he’s started right-winger on five occasions and a left-winger in 12 instances.
The year before he played 17 times on the right and 16 times on the left - highlighting a real sense of versatility which would give Maresca’s team plenty of tactical flexibility in the run-up to matches along with the ability to mix things up midway through a match if things aren’t going to plan.
Semenyo at this point of his career is more accomplished than some of Chelsea’s options while he’d instantly enhance the team with a further injection of flair, pace, skill and an ability to produce moments of magic out of nothing. For £65m he’d likely present good value for money, especially when considering that the currently suspended Mykhailo Mudryk, who had only previously played in Ukraine, cost the club £62m potentially rising to £89m in add-ons when he came in from Shakhtar Donetsk nearly three years ago.
Why Chelsea are likely to have the advantage in the race to sign Semenyo
Semenyo is almost certain to leave the Vitality Stadium after a stellar 18 months in the Premier League. He has a lot of attractive options on the table but crucially is from west London and has an affiliation with Chelsea whose approach is likely to have an impact on his decision-making process.
In a recent appearance on the Away Days YouTube channel, he even admits that Didier Drogba was one of his favourite players growing up, suggesting that he could have grown up a Chelsea fan. He explains: “I loved Didier Drogba growing up. I always wanted to be just like him. So quick so strong. Dro was my idol. He was number one. He just suits the way I play. Left foot, right-foot, can head the ball. I don’t know if I can head the ball but yeah he’s number one for me.”
The Athletic previously explained that Chelsea’s interest in Semenyo is long-standing. They had enquired about the winger in the summer and while they enquired again for January, they have decided against a move.
Several of their rivals including Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham have all been strongly linked - the Stamford Bridge club should not be so quick to rule themselves out of the running.