Gary O’Neil
Semenyo has been eased into life at Cherries, following his £9million move from Bristol City in January. The Ghana international, who netted for his country last week, is yet to score for his new club, having made six appearances. Semenyo, 23, joined Bristol City’s academy in 2017 and, after three loan spells away, became a regular for the Robins.
He departed the second-tier club having scored 21 goals and provided 22 assists in 125 appearances.
Of Semenyo’s six outings for Cherries so far, two have come as a starter, while he has been utilised both as a central striker and wide player.
Discussing his early impressions of Semenyo,
Gary O’Neil said: “I don’t think you can underestimate how big the step is, even tactically. So his two starts have been against Brighton, who are an extremely tactical team with a very good head coach. There will be a lot of tactical info in there that he needs to take on at this level. And again Arsenal, a lot was asked of him. It’s a big step up from where he’s come from. But he’s willing, works his socks off, takes on every bit of info you give him and has real good attributes that can hurt teams.”
Asked in which position he sees versatile Semenyo playing most of his football at Cherries,
Gary O’Neil added: “I think probably his best position is a nine. But he can play anywhere across the top line. He’s both footed, equally off both sides. He has attributes that are a real threat when he’s on the top line. So sometimes playing wide and getting in behind attacking full-backs could be a use for him, which was sort of the hope for him at Arsenal, that they would attack and there would be spaces left and we could try and catch them. But as a nine as well, he’s very good across the top line. He is flexible.”
