Antoine Semenyo has a big decision to make as the January transfer window opens and a key figure in his career has given him some sound advice.
Man City appear to be the leading candidates for the Ghana international, with Manchester United and Tottenham also involved and a release clause of between £60m and £65m set to come into effect.
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The Pitch Prospect understands Chelsea are out of contention while Liverpool are unlikely to make a move despite Alexander Isak’s injury.
It is also understood Arsenal would only make a move if they could sell one of their current wingers.
Spurs and Red Devils are not out of the race yet, but they are likely to be underdogs.
And Michael Flynn, who managed the winger during his loan spell at Newport County, reckons a key factor could help City win the race.
When asked if they would be the perfect choice for Semenyo, he told Weekend Sports Breakfast: “Well, I think at Man City he has the best two coaches, the best manager and the best coach I’ve ever met.”
“Pep Lijnders and Pep Guardiola are right up there with… well, they’re the best.”
“We can discuss it later but they are the best. They are the best. I’m a Liverpool fan, everyone knows that and would he suit Arne Slot? But I know Manchester City would suit him best.”
“If it’s not Arsenal, for Antoine it must be Arsenal or Man City. If I were his agent and his guardian, I would tell him one thing or the other.”
What makes Semenyo so good?
Flynn still has a huge soft spot for his former protégé and is happy that such a nice person is spending his time in the sun.
“Tony is one of the best I’ve ever met,” he added. “He’s so humble. He’s down to earth, hardworking, such a lovely guy.”
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“And he’s an honor to his parents, an honor to himself and someone I can’t say enough about.”
Asked what he thinks has changed about Semenyo’s game since his formative years, he said: “He can go both ways. He’s right-footed and left-footed.”
“What I’ve noticed is how much he’s grown physically. He’s a big, big, strong unit. I think he’s gotten even bigger. So I think he’s worked off the field in that regard.”
“You know, the first game of the season, Liverpool, the way he scores that wonder goal. And you just knew he had a kick and for me, probably Man City, I think he’ll end up there.”
“But he’s a player, he’s a boy, and I just can’t say enough about him.”
Not only is Semenyo an offensive threat, but he also does a fair amount of defensive work, both in defense and from set pieces.
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And Flynn praised another person in this regard.
He added: “I think we have to give it to Wayne Hatswell.” [former Newport assistant] This is thanks to him because he worked very consistently with him on the set pieces.
“I have to mention Wayne here, but honestly, Antoine, he would do anything you asked him to do. He would ask if he didn’t know what to do. He was, honestly, a dream.”
“Him and Ben White, what a dream.”
But when asked if he thought Semenyo was always on track to reach those heights, Flynn admitted he didn’t know he would fly so high.
“I will be 100 percent honest with you,” he said. “I’m not sure he would be one of the best players in the Premier League but I knew he would get to the top.”
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“When we had him at Newport, Chelsea actually came for him, Tony’s old club. And I think the offer was turned down, but honestly, we played Leicester in the FA Cup and he was incredible.”
“We knocked them out of the FA Cup and Antoine was unplayable. He was honestly, I think it was Danny Simpson, the right-back, and Danny had an incredible career and Antoine was the best player on the pitch.”
Ghana is great
Another man who witnessed Semenyo’s rise was his former international boss Chris Hughton.
He managed him with Ghana and stressed that it is both his ball-playing skills and his work with the ball that have won him so many admirers.
“Well, I probably went back before I knew him very well in my roles here [at Ghana]. “I saw him a lot at Bristol City,” he told Weekend Sports Breakfast.
“I think what you have to do is give huge credit to Bournemouth and their management and coaching staff.”
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“This was a boy who is primarily a centre-forward but always loved running the channels, but a centre-forward and in his time at Bournemouth they actually turned him into a winger.”
“I think he’s had an outstanding season. I mean the qualities he has. For someone of his size and stature, he’s an incredible athlete and someone who really is a manager’s dream. He’s prepared to run back as hard as he runs forward.”
“I think he has really developed. Of course everyone is talking about the possible options he will have but I would put him in the same category as Eberechi Eze and Bryan Mbeumo who are similar in price.”
“I think he will play a role at any top club, be it as a main player or as an integral part of their squad.”