By Collins Sarkodieh 
Ghana international Antoine Semenyo has been shortlisted for the 2025/26 EA SPORTS Premier League Player of the Season award following a career-defining year.
The 26-year-old forward scored 16 goals and provided four assists in 35 appearances, split between AFC Bournemouth and a high-profile move to Manchester City. His nomination recognizes his evolution from a promising talent into one of the most clinical and versatile attackers in world football.
Semenyo’s season is a tale of two halves, both equally impressive. He began the campaign at Bournemouth, where he found the net 10 times in the league, proving he could carry the offensive load for a mid-table side. His explosive pace and directness caught the eye of Pep Guardiola, leading to a blockbuster €72 million winter transfer to Manchester City in January 2026.
Since joining the Citizens, the Ghanaian star has played a pivotal role in their pursuit of another Premier League title. He notably secured the EA SPORTS Player of the Month award in February, just weeks after his arrival. His ability to operate across the front line has given City a tactical edge in the season’s closing stages, making him a fan favorite at the Etihad.
How did Antoine Semenyo perform for Manchester City after his January transfer?
Antoine Semenyo seamlessly integrated into Pep Guardiola’s tactical setup, contributing six goals and two assists for Manchester City in the second half of the season. His immediate impact was highlighted by his February Player of the Month win, where he registered three goals and an assist in his first five league matches. Semenyo’s versatility allowed him to thrive as a winger, a central striker, and even in advanced midfield roles.
Adapting to a “Pep System” is notoriously difficult for most players, but Semenyo’s physical power and technical intelligence made him an outlier. He provided Manchester City with a directness that complemented Erling Haaland’s presence, often dragging defenders out of position to create space. His 16-goal season total makes him one of the highest-scoring African players in a single Premier League campaign.
His performance in high-pressure matches against top-six opposition solidified his standing in the squad. Whether starting on the right wing or cutting inside from the left, his clinical finishing helped City maintain their title momentum. Semenyo is now widely regarded as one of the most successful January signings in Manchester City’s recent history.
Who else is on the Premier League Player of the Season shortlist?
The shortlist for the 2025/26 Player of the Season features a mix of defensive stalwarts and elite goalscorers, including Erling Haaland, Declan Rice, and Bruno Fernandes. Semenyo finds himself in elite company alongside Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhães and David Raya, Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, and Brentford’s Igor Thiago. The diversity of the list reflects a season defined by both tactical defensive discipline and attacking brilliance.
Erling Haaland remains a perennial favorite, but Semenyo’s narrative of succeeding across two different clubs adds a unique layer to his candidacy. Players like Declan Rice and Gabriel have been instrumental in Arsenal’s defensive resilience, while Bruno Fernandes continues to be the creative heartbeat of Manchester United. For Semenyo to be included in this group is a testament to his consistent “match-winner” status throughout the year.
The winner will be decided by a combination of a public fan vote and a panel of football experts. Fans have until 12:00 BST on Monday, May 18, 2026, to cast their ballots on the official Premier League website. Given his massive following in both Ghana and England, Semenyo is expected to poll strongly in the public segment of the vote.
What makes Semenyo’s €72 million transfer a bargain for Manchester City?
While €72 million is a significant investment, Semenyo’s 16 goals and his role in a title charge suggest that Manchester City secured high value for their money. In a market where elite attackers often command nine-figure fees, Semenyo provided immediate output without the typical “adjustment period” associated with new signings. His age, 26, means City has secured a player entering his prime years with resale value and long-term utility.
Beyond the goals, Semenyo’s tactical flexibility saved City from depth issues during injury spells in mid-season. His ability to fill in for absent creative midfielders or secondary strikers meant the team’s goal-per-game ratio did not drop. This “utility-man” capability, combined with a high conversion rate, makes the transfer fee look like a shrewd piece of business by the City hierarchy.
The Ghanaian forward also brings a different physical profile to the squad. His “pace and power” style offers a plan B when City’s intricate passing through the middle is stifled. By providing a direct threat on the counter-attack, he has made Manchester City a more multi-dimensional team, which is invaluable in the grueling final weeks of a title race.
Factual Insights into Antoine Semenyo’s 2025/26 Season:
- Goal Tally: Semenyo scored a total of 16 Premier League goals (10 for Bournemouth, 6 for Manchester City).
- Transfer Fee: The move from Bournemouth to Manchester City in January was reportedly worth €72 million.
- Individual Awards: He won the EA SPORTS Player of the Month award for February 2026.
- Appearance Record: The forward featured in 35 Premier League matches throughout the campaign.
- National Impact: Semenyo is the first Ghanaian player to be nominated for the PL Player of the Season in over a decade.
- Versatility Stats: He registered appearances in four different positions: LW, RW, ST, and AM.
- Voting Deadline: The public vote closes at 12:00 BST on Monday, May 18, 2026.
Antoine Semenyo’s nomination for the Premier League Player of the Season is a crowning achievement in a year of remarkable growth. From leading the line at Bournemouth to becoming a crucial gear in the Manchester City machine, his 16-goal haul has cemented his place among the elite. Whether he wins the award or not, his impact on the 2025/26 season has set a new benchmark for Ghanaian players in Europe.
As the title race reaches its climax, Semenyo’s focus remains on delivering silverware to the Etihad. However, his personal success has already provided a massive boost to his reputation and his value to the Ghana national team. The footballing world will be watching closely when the winner is announced next week to see if the “Semenyo Story” has one more golden chapter.
Also Read: Antoine Semenyo Joins Manchester City: The Rise of Ghana’s New Premier League Star