It’s nice to have him – Manchester City assistant coach Pep Lijnders hails Antoine Semenyo’s impressive debut

Manchester City assistant coach Pep Lijnders has eulogized Ghana international Antoine Semenyo after capping off an impressive start to life at the club on Saturday.

The Black Stars forward started and played for 64 minutes, as the Citizens cruised to an emphatic 10-1 victory in the English FA Cup clash, held at the Etihad Stadium.

Semenyo played a pivotal role by scoring and registering an assists, as the Premier League giants made light of Exeter City.

The 25-year-old forward was swiftly drafted into the starting lineup after switching from AFC Bournemouth on Friday morning in the current winter transfer window. The Ghana international assisted Rico Lewis in the 49th-minute before netting his debut goal for the club in the 54th-minute following an assist from Rayan Cherki.

“We followed him-Antoine Semenyo- for a long time and he brings something to the front line we need. He wants to chase, he doesn’t stop. He can adapt quickly to our style so it’s nice to have him with us.” he said after the match.

Having made an impressive start to Manchester City debut, the former AFC Bournemouth star will be hoping to maintain his momentum throughout the campaign.

Following a standout display at Bournemouth, the pacey Ghanaian attacker secured a move to the Citizens, signing a five-and-a-half-year deal that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until 2031.

Semenyo enjoyed a meteoric rise to become one of the Premier League’s most feared forwards, earning him a significant move to Manchester City for a reported £65 million transfer fee.

Born in London to Ghanaian parents, Semenyo started his professional career at Bristol City before loan spells at Bath City, Newport County and Sunderland, further honing his craft.

After impressing at Ashton Gate, Bournemouth spotted his potential and captured his signature midway through the 2022/23 season from where his career has gone from strength to strength ever since.

Semenyo established himself as one Bournemouth’s most consistent performers this season, racking up 10 goals and providing three assists in the Premier League, further underlining his growing influence in England’s top flight.

Throughout his spell at the Bournemouth, the 25-year-old Ghanaian forward made 110 appearances for the Cherries, scoring 32 goals and registering 13 assists across all competitions