Deeney challenges Semenyo: Maintain form, go to Real Madrid
Troy Deeney: If he maintains his form of 6 goals and 3 assists after 9 matches, Antoine Semenyo could be playing for Real Madrid; Bournemouth is second, 4 points behind Arsenal.
Troy Deeney believes that if Antoine Semenyo continues to maintain his explosive momentum at Bournemouth, the destination could be Real Madrid. The bold comment comes as the Ghanaian striker has 6 goals and 3 assists after just 9 games in the 2025/26 season, helping Bournemouth to second place in the Premier League, 4 points behind Arsenal.
Antoine Semenyo's explosive form
After just 9 rounds, Semenyo has become the highlight of the tournament: 6 goals, 3 assists, an average of 1 goal involvement per game. That series of direct contributions has helped Bournemouth leap to the top group, creating a launching pad for comments beyond the club.
Impact Index
- Direct contributions: 9 times/9 matches (6 goals, 3 assists)
- Team position: Bournemouth is second in the Premier League
- Distance from top of table: 4 points behind Arsenal
| Statistics after 9 matches | Value |
|---|---|
| Goal | 6 |
| Construction | 3 |
| Goal contribution/match | 1.00 |
| Bournemouth Ranking | 2 |
| Distance from Arsenal | 4 points |
Troy Deeney's views on talkSPORT
Deeney, who has been watching Semenyo's rise, has called him one of the Premier League's "unsung heroes". On talkSPORT, the former Premier League striker posed a testy challenge: "I just don't know if Semenyo can maintain this form. If he can, by God, he'll probably be playing for Real Madrid. I think Semenyo is very good, very strong, very direct."
The message was both a compliment and a measure. At 25, consistency across multiple stages of the season will be the biggest test for a player who is regarded as strong and direct.
The professional weight of a direct style
In a context where Bournemouth need immediate results, a strong and direct striker like Semenyo brings clear value: shortening the number of touches, attacking space and maximising the chance or the final pass. His nine goal involvements in nine games shows the efficiency with which he converts chances into results – something big clubs are always looking for.
At the highest levels of competition, being “direct” is not just a style, but a rhythm of decision-making: choosing the simplest but most effective option, getting the ball into the danger zone as quickly as possible. This is the point Deeney highlights when talking about Semenyo’s difference.
Bournemouth's current and transfer impact
Semenyo’s form has made him increasingly popular in the market. It is believed that big clubs such as Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid are monitoring the situation. If he maintains his current pace, the future of the Ghanaian striker promises to be a notable topic in the upcoming transfer windows.
However, Semenyo is currently focused on Bournemouth. The Vitality Stadium team has set high goals after a favorable start, and the 25-year-old striker is the core of that plan.
