Antoine Semenyo brings a special and unseen trait to Manchester City, says Phil Foden | OneFootball

Phil Foden believes Manchester City will welcome a special trait to their armoury through the addition of Antoine Semenyo for the rest of the season and beyond.

Semenyo has made a blistering start to life at the Etihad Stadium since joining the Blues for £64 million on a five-and-a-half year contract from Bournemouth earlier this month.

Having established himself as one of the Premier League’s best forwards in recent years under Andoni Iraola, the London-born winger scored and provided an assist on his Manchester City debut as Pep Guardiola’s men put 10 past a sorry Exeter City side to progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup.

City have also taken one step into the Carabao Cup final after goals from Semenyo and Rayan Cherki sealed a 2-0 win in the opening leg of the semi-final tie at St. James’ Park last week, with Semenyo also having a goal controversially disallowed.

Manchester City are vying for silverware on four fronts and after overly relying on Erling Haaland in the final third in the first half of the campaign, Semenyo has added a different dimension to an attack that has been crying out for inspiration in recent weeks.

In a recent interview with Men In Blazers, Phil Foden was asked for his initial thoughts on Semenyo. “He’s a player that loves to run in-behind, I feel we don’t have many like that,” said the England international.

“When teams are playing deep, a low block, his movement is exceptional. Such a goal threat, also in the right positions all the time. And his physicality, the way he likes to hold up the ball, use both feet.

“A really good player and a bit of a different type of Man City player, but someone we really need and can use his attributes really good.”

Foden and Semenyo started in Manchester City’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at the weekend as the Blues’ title hopes were handed another serious blow in the first game of Michael Carrick’s second caretaker stint at Old Trafford.

While Foden went off at half-time with a suspected injury to his right hand, Semenyo was part of a meagre Manchester City side that put in a toothless, lacklustre performance that has raised serious concerns over City’s silverware prospects.

Manchester City travel to Norway this week for a UEFA Champions League group-stage clash with Bodo/Glimt – a perfect chance for the Blues to return to winning ways and put Saturday’s horror show behind them.

City need as much help as they can get in all departments between now and the end of the season and regardless of how they fare silverware-wise come the end of the season, executives at the Etihad Stadium will be delighted to get their hands on Semenyo for the seasons to follow.