‘Who is the best player outside of the big six?’ It’s an age-old question fans argue over as they pick out the best of the rest. This season, though, few could disagree it’s a Bournemouth star the warrants the award.
Antoine Semenyo scored his fifth and sixth league goals of the season on Friday night. Only Erling Haaland (9) has scored more in the 2025-26 Premier League campaign. With an additional three assists, Semenyo has been directly involved in nine of the Cherries’ 11 goals. No prizes for guessing the player with more goal contributions in England’s top tier.
In this article, we’ll cover:
Semenyo’s popularity hasn’t come entirely out of the blue. Rather, it’s a continuation of his league showings last season. Indeed, he scored 11 and laid on a further five assists in Bournemouth’s record-setting campaign. Interest in his services over the summer wasn’t a surprise.
The Cherries, who were gutted in defence in the off-season, managed to tie Semenyo down to a new deal. By putting pen to paper on a five-year contract, he effectively silenced exit rumours. If he continues to thrive on the Cherries frontline, Bournemouth will be hard pressed to retain his services for long.
Andoni Iraola’s side head into the international break in fourth place, two points off top spot. Despite the departures of Kepa, Milos Kerkez, Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi, they’ve still conceded fewer goals than Liverpool. Yet it is the impact of Semenyo that has understandably drawn adulation. Take away his goals and assists and Bournemouth have nine fewer points.
Semenyo’s final third impact
What’s key is he brings a bit of everything in attack for Iraola’s side. Only Haaland (29) has had more shots than Semenyo (17). 10 chances created ranks 21st, while 15 completed take ons is the fifth most. The latter is a metric topped by compatriot Mohammed Kudus (30), whose Spurs side have been linked with Semenyo.
Interest from the Premier League’s bit hitters, then, shouldn’t come as a shock. Semenyo is more of the modern-day winger rather than one who gets to the byline and puts the ball into the box. That said, in an age where overlapping full-backs provide width when wingers cut in-field, Semenyo offers more variety out wide.
While right-footed, Semenyo is just as comfortable with his left, with the unpredictability to his play routinely leaving markers bamboozled. Standing at six feet exactly, he’s no slouch either, which means opponents struggle to contain the 25-year-old once he gains a head of steam.
Out-of-possession work
What’s also key is that Semenyo offers an alternative outlet that means teammates don’t need to always get the ball to feet. He maximises his standing to great effect, winning an average of 2.3 aerial duels per 90. Able to play on either flank, this mixes up Bournemouth’s approach with the Cherries able to play long balls up field or switch the play quickly. With a number of routes to goal, and a plethora of ways to hurt teams, Semenyo’s style is a vital weapon for Iraola.
So, too, is his hard work off the ball. Managers so often favour a high-pressing game and Bournemouth are no different. Teams are always in for an intense 90 minutes against the Cherries, with Semenyo leading from the front. Not only is he averaging 1.7 tackles per 90, he’s also won possession in the attacking third more times (8) than any other player in the Premier League this season. This was a metric he topped last term, doing so 37 times.
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While managers may demand their wingers prioritise a goal threat, Semenyo’s out-of-possession work benefits a Bournemouth side that is averaging 51% possession. They’re able to spring lightning quick counters to blitz teams, with Semenyo working hard to force turnovers in dangerous areas. Bournemouth may have sold themselves short if reports of a £70m release clause are to be believed. While said clause can’t be activated until next summer, the Cherries will sell him on the cheap if the reports are true.
Could Bournemouth replace Semenyo?
What Bournemouth need to consider also is how they can replace Semenyo when they inevitably sell. It’s not the first time they have been in this position with key players. Dominic Solanke departed for Tottenham in 2024 after his 19-goal haul. Kepa, Huijsen, Kerkez and Zabarnyi all left over the summer, yet Bournemouth have gone from strength-to-strength in the time since.
Semenyo, though, feels different. He’s so important to the way Bournemouth operate both on and off the ball that his eventual exit will be a real hammer blow. As Semenyo continues to elevate his game, interest in his services is expected to rise. Tottenham are keen on the winger, as are Chelsea. The list of potential suitors should grow should he maintain his flying start to the season.
So as fans pose the question: ‘Who the best player outside the Big Six?’ One of the most popular answers is Semenyo.