Antoine Semenyo’s status in the Fantasy Premier League has recently come into question as he delivers a disappointing performance. Priced at £8.1 million, he has garnered only five points over the last three matches, raising concerns among managers. With an injury doubt looming for Gameweek 12, many of his owners are considering replacements during the international break.
Semenyo’s Current Popularity and Ownership
Despite his recent struggles, Semenyo remains the fifth most-sold player in Fantasy Premier League. Over 153,000 managers have chosen to part with him. However, he maintains a significant ownership rate of 63.4%, making him the most popular player in his position.
Upcoming Fixtures
Bournemouth has an upcoming run of matches that could be favorable for Semenyo. In the next six Gameweeks, they will have four home games. The Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR) indicate that three of these opponents—West Ham United, Everton, and Burnley—have a difficulty ranking of just two.
- Gameweek 12: West Ham (H) – FDR 2
- Gameweek 13: Sunderland (A) – FDR 3
- Gameweek 14: Everton (H) – FDR 2
- Gameweek 15: Chelsea (H) – FDR 3
- Gameweek 16: Manchester United (A) – FDR 3
- Gameweek 17: Burnley (H) – FDR 2
Decline in Goal Threat
Semenyo started the season on a high note, having at least two shots in the box during his first four Gameweeks along with six big chances. However, his goal threat has sharply declined since Gameweek 5. He has only had two or more shots in two of his last seven matches.
Bournemouth’s Attack Problems
The decline in Semenyo’s performance reflects broader issues within Bournemouth’s attack. The team created nine big chances in the first four Gameweeks but only eight in the subsequent seven. Their minutes per shot ranking has also dropped significantly, now placing them 14th in the league.
Alternative Midfield Options
As managers consider removing Semenyo from their squads, several alternatives have emerged. Notably, Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo and Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka are leading candidates for replacements, given their current form and favorable upcoming fixtures.
Other notable options include:
- Ryan Sessegnon (£5.4m): Fulham’s midfielder, with four favorable matches ahead.
- Ismaila Sarr (£6.7m): Crystal Palace’s player, facing three of the bottom six teams in upcoming fixtures.
- Jeremy Doku (£6.4m): Part of Manchester City, involved in a series of promising games.
Assessing Semenyo’s Role
While Semenyo’s early-season form demonstrated considerable potential, recent statistics indicate he may not be a must-have at this time. His performance has significantly declined, impacted by the overall struggles of Bournemouth’s attack. Managers must weigh this decline against the potential opportunity for a rebound in the upcoming fixtures.
In summary, while there’s a chance Semenyo could turn his form around, prioritizing other midfield options like Saka and Mbeumo may be prudent.
