Antoine Semenyo explains why Man City’s trophy success convinced him to join

Antoine Semenyo has explained that Manchester City’s recent dominance and trophy haul were decisive factors in his decision to complete a move to the Etihad Stadium, admitting he wanted to be part of Pep Guardiola’s winning machine.

The winger has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract with Manchester City after an outstanding first half of the 2025/26 season with AFC Bournemouth, during which he scored 10 Premier League goals.

Semenyo was one of the standout performers in the top flight throughout 2025, combining pace, two-footedness and end product to establish himself among the league’s most dangerous wide players.

Now 26, the Ghana international believes City’s sustained success under Pep Guardiola made the move an easy decision.

Speaking in his first interview as a City player, Semenyo was asked about his perception of the club from the outside.

“I mean you want to be a part of the team, to be honest,” he said.

“You want to be winning those trophies, you want to be playing with the best players in the world, so that perception is that you just want to be involved.

“I thank God that now I’m involved and we can win many more trophies.”

Semenyo’s rise has been rapid. After starting his professional career at Bristol City, he earned a move to Bournemouth in January 2023.

Under Andoni Iraola, he spent three impressive years on the south coast, helping turn the Cherries into one of the Premier League’s most entertaining sides while developing his own game significantly.

That improvement, Semenyo says, is rooted as much in his mindset as his physical attributes.

“It starts in the mornings when I’m praying,” he explained.
“Day and night I make sure I always pray and make sure I always write down things where I can improve and get better.

“Having the right people around me — those three things have got me the success I’ve had to today.”

With 13 goals last season and 10 already in the current campaign, Semenyo arrives at City with a proven scoring record from wide areas.

He believes Guardiola’s tactical demands — particularly for wingers attacking the back post — can take that output to another level, pointing to how previous City wide players have thrived in similar roles.

“That’s an extra 10 or 15 goals at the end of the season,” Semenyo said.
“I feel like I’ve had to work on that so much over the past two years.

“So joining a club like this and seeing the previous players who’ve played in my position, it’s going to be great. I want to be one of those getting the numbers at the end of the season.”

Semenyo will now look to integrate quickly into Guardiola’s system as City chase more silverware across domestic and European competitions. With expectations high and competition fierce, his ability to translate Bournemouth form onto a bigger stage will be closely watched.

Can Antoine Semenyo become the next winger to thrive under Guardiola — and add those extra 10–15 goals to City’s attack?