Manchester City newcomer Antoine Semenyo senses team’s shift into title-winning mentality

LONDON – Antoine Semenyo may be just weeks into his Manchester City career, but the forward says he can already feel the winners of six of the last eight Premier League crowns switching into title-winning mentality as the run-in tightens.

The 26-year-old was the difference on Feb 28, scoring the lone goal in a 1-0 win at Leeds United that pulled City within two points of leaders Arsenal after 28 games for both teams. The Gunners hosted sixth-placed Chelsea on March 1, with the result unavailable at press time.

Pep Guardiola’s side have made a habit of tightening the screws come spring, stacking unbeaten streaks and grinding out narrow wins.

“Definitely seeing it, it starts from training every day – little habits, passing, possession, just making sure that attention to detail, everyone’s focused and not lacking,” said Semenyo.

“When you do that in training, it follows into games, and everyone just wants to win. Everyone is just major focused, and that shift in mentality is so crazy... just little things and making sure that we’re in tip-top shape.”

City’s league-leading scorer Erling Haaland, who has shouldered the heavy weight of providing the team's goals, missed the Leeds game with a minor injury.

Semenyo, who has six goals and two assists in his 11 games since arriving at the Etihad Stadium in January from Bournemouth, filled in admirably but admitted the weight of responsibility is greater when the Norwegian hotshot is absent.

“Being up front, if the big man’s not there, you have to fill his boots,” the Ghanaian said. “It’s always going to be big pressure when you’re replacing Erling in the team.”

But his impact has been seamless, something he also credits to his teammates and Guardiola.

“The boys make it so easy for me to adapt,” he added. “They try to play to my strengths, and the coach helps me just be me – be confident, be calm – and pop up with goals. Playing around world-class players keeps me on my toes.”

Semenyo even debuted a new goal celebration, strumming an imaginary guitar after suggestions his mother was not keen on his trademark back flip celebration.

“A few friends said I should do something funny,” he said. “That was the first thing that came to my head. The crowd loved it.”

Asked whether he was surprised by Semenyo’s immediate impact, Guardiola said that the club had simply hoped the signing would fit.

“You never know,” he said. “You buy players with good intentions, but the impact has been good.”

The City boss admitted Haaland’s absence remains significant, saying “I wish he was back”. But he offered no clarity on when the striker will return.

“I don't know. We don’t have spies in the training centre to deliver info,” he said jokingly. “I don’t think it's a big issue. We will see.”

Guardiola also refused to be drawn on City’s bid for the seventh title of his reign.

“Every game is really tough. The Premier League is better than ever,” he added.

“To qualify for the Champions League is the main target for the club because for the last 10 years, we have been there. We are the only English club that has been every year in the Champions League for 10 or 11 years.” REUTERS, AFP