Adebayor Backs Semenyo to Become Key Manchester City Player
Emmanuel Adebayor has urged Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo to trust the qualities that earned him a January move from Bournemouth, after the Ghana international marked his first Premier League goals of the campaign with two strikes and an assist against Sunderland.
Key facts
| Item | Figure or date | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester City result | 5-3 v Sunderland, Saturday | Semenyo scored twice and created another goal |
| League record before City move | 10 goals | For Bournemouth in the first half of last season |
| City contract | Five and a half years | Signed in January |
| League starts this season | 5 | Semenyo has started every City league match |
The 26-year-old has been a regular in Enzo Maresca’s forward line following his arrival at City. His display against Sunderland took his early-season league contribution to two goals and three assists, having supplied two assists across the opening four fixtures.
Adebayor said Semenyo has been in regular contact for advice since completing the transfer. The former Arsenal and City striker has encouraged him to remain level-headed, continue working and play with freedom rather than feeling the weight of the occasion.
He pointed to the club’s recruitment process as evidence that Semenyo belongs at the Etihad Stadium, arguing that City would have thoroughly assessed the player before sanctioning the deal. Adebayor believes that, although Semenyo is still adjusting to a dressing room filled with established internationals, he can develop into a leading figure for the club.
Semenyo’s route to City included spells at Bristol City, Bath City, Newport County and Sunderland before his Bournemouth career. Adebayor, who moved from Arsenal to Manchester City in 2009, feels the forward has the ability to become one of the defining players in Maresca’s squad.
Ghana concerned by senior withdrawals
Adebayor’s assessment came before Ghana’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying meeting with Ivory Coast. The Black Stars will be without Semenyo, Mohammed Kudus, Baba Rahman and Jordan Ayew, all of whom have withdrawn from the group.
The former Togo captain said Ghana retain plenty of quality but will miss the authority that seasoned players bring to a major regional rivalry. In his view, a player such as Kudus offers reassurance to younger teammates, particularly in a high-pressure match where calm decision-making across 90 minutes is required.
Adebayor’s role in Senaya decision
Adebayor also said he helped Auxerre defender Marvin Senaya choose Ghana rather than Togo at international level. Senaya was eligible for both nations and received March call-ups from each before committing himself to the Black Stars.
The former Real Madrid forward, now based in Ghana, told Senaya that the decision represented a major opportunity, particularly with Ghana already qualified for the World Cup. Adebayor, who captained Togo at the 2006 World Cup, said the defender had sought his counsel and treats his advice seriously.
Senaya subsequently played in each of Ghana’s four World Cup matches. He sustained an injury during the round-of-32 loss to Colombia and remains in recovery.
