Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has moved to reassure supporters that Antoine Semenyo remains fully focused on his football, despite growing speculation linking the winger with moves to Manchester United and Liverpool.
As the Cherries prepare for a challenging Premier League showdown against United, Semenyo’s recent dip in goal-scoring form has prompted questions about whether the constant rumours are taking a toll.
Iraola, however, was quick to defend the Ghanaian forward’s commitment, emphasising that his contributions go far beyond the scoresheet.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the Spaniard highlighted Semenyo’s continued importance to Bournemouth’s attacking dynamic.
“We cannot only analyse the numbers,” Iraola insisted. “He’s not our number nine. He’s a winger that gives us a lot of goals and a lot of assists, and he gives us chances normally. He was the biggest threat against Chelsea the other day.”
Semenyo’s work rate, pace, and physical presence have consistently troubled opposition defences, and Iraola argued that his overall influence should not be overshadowed by recent discussions surrounding his future.
The manager also addressed the psychological pressure that comes with being mentioned daily in transfer columns, especially when the interested parties are among the Premier League’s most prestigious clubs.
Despite the noise, Iraola says he has seen no sign that the speculation has unsettled the 24-year-old.
“I don’t feel the transfer speculation is affecting him a lot,” he said. “When you hear your name every day in the news you have to deal with the situation, but I think he’s committed, and I haven’t seen a lot of changes in him.”
As Bournemouth look to secure a statement result against Manchester United, Iraola’s public backing serves both as a vote of confidence in Semenyo and a reminder of his value to the team’s structure.
If the winger continues to channel his energy into performances rather than headlines, the Cherries will be all the stronger for it.
