Haaland, Semenyo and Foden play for Mnchester City
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said that Antoine Semenyo’s blistering form was the reason he benched some of his top players to start him against Wolves in the Premier League on January 24, 2026.
The Ghanaian winger was instrumental in the Citizens’ 2-0 win over Wolves, scoring a goal and hitting the crossbar for what could have been a brace. He has now scored three goals in four matches since joining the team.
Meanwhile, two of the club’s key players, Erling Haaland and Phil Foden, were left out of the starting XI, a decision that raised eyebrows among fans and pundits.
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In a post-match press conference, Guardiola explained that Semenyo’s current form surpassed that of the players who were benched.
He added that in a period of inconsistent team performances, players delivering the best results would be prioritised in selection, while Haaland and Foden would continue to feature prominently depending on their performances.
“We cannot do what we want to do this season, or in the future of this club, without Erling and Phil at their best. They’ve played a lot… a lot, a lot. Antoine [Semenyo] came with incredible energy and, you know the numbers, strikers are a question of numbers. Since he arrived, Antoine has been unbelievable!
“He scored a good goal, it looks easy, but the control was perfect, just passing the ball into the net. He created another chance with an excellent pass from Marc [Guehi], and he had another effort that hit the crossbar. With the players up front, it’s always a question of numbers. But we desperately need the best from Erling and Phil,” he told English media.
The club is now working to win games and close the gap with Arsenal in the Premier League title race, as they currently trail the Gunners.
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