- Antoine Semenyo shortlisted for Premier League Player of the Season Award
Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo has been nominated for the 2025/26 Premier League Player of the Season award after a standout campaign that has seen him emerge as one of the league’s most influential attacking players. The 26-year-old is one of eight players shortlisted for the prestigious individual honour, joining Manchester City teammate Erling Haaland, Arsenal trio Gabriel Magalhães, David Raya and Declan Rice, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White and Brentford striker Igor Thiago.
Semenyo’s nomination crowns a remarkable season split between AFC Bournemouth and Manchester City, following his January move to Pep Guardiola’s side. The Ghanaian has registered 16 goals and four assists in 35 Premier League appearances, underlining his rise from powerful wide forward to genuine top-flight game-changer.
The Premier League said Semenyo “played a starring role for two clubs this season,” noting that he joined City after a strong start to the campaign at Bournemouth and made an immediate impact at his new club. He recorded three goals and one assist in five league appearances in February, a run that earned him his first EA SPORTS Player of the Month award.
His impact has continued into the final stretch of the season. Semenyo scored in Manchester City’s 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Wednesday, a result that moved Guardiola’s side to within two points of league leaders Arsenal with two games remaining.
For Ghana, the nomination is significant. It places Semenyo among the elite performers in the world’s most commercially powerful football league and strengthens his status as one of the Black Stars’ most valuable attacking assets.
Haaland, who won the award in the 2022/23 season, is again in contention after scoring 26 goals and providing eight assists in 34 league appearances. Manchester City said the Norwegian’s 34 goal involvements are more than any other player in the Premier League this season.
But Semenyo’s own numbers are exceptional. His 20 goal involvements have been bettered only by Haaland and Bruno Fernandes, according to Manchester City, reflecting both his output and his adaptation to multiple attacking roles.
The Ghanaian has been used across the front line, operating on both wings, as a forward and at times in midfield, giving City additional physicality, direct running and pressing intensity in the final third.
His rise has also come at a decisive point in Manchester City’s season. Guardiola’s side remain in the Premier League title race and are also preparing for the FA Cup final against Chelsea on Saturday, May 16.
Semenyo has already secured silverware since joining City, helping the club win the Carabao Cup earlier this year. Another strong finish to the campaign could turn an already impressive season into one of the most memorable by a Ghanaian player in recent Premier League history.
Fans have until 12:00 BST on Monday, May 18, to vote, with the public vote to be combined with votes from a panel of football experts. The winner will be announced the following week. For Semenyo, the nomination is more than personal recognition. It is confirmation of a career leap: from Bournemouth’s attacking outlet to Manchester City title-race contributor, and now one of the Premier League’s best performers of the season.
