English-born Ghanaian striker Kwadwo Baah has officially signed a new five-year contract with Championship club Watford.
After missing Ghana's double header against Sudan, Thomas Teye Partey is now fully fit and ready to return into action for Arsenal in their visit to AFC Bournemouth this Saturday.
The 22-year-old winger has recovered from a long injury layoff to be included in Southampton squad for Leicester City game on Saturday.
Ghana and West Ham midfielder Mohammed Kudus has been recognised by CIES as the best dribbler in Europe's top five leagues so far this season.
Having joined the Premier League club last season, Kudus has wasted no time in establishing himself as one of the most exciting players to watch.
With an impressive index of 92.6, Kudus ranks ahead of Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe.
This accolade highlights Kudus's exceptional skill and agility on the ball, further solidifying his reputation as one of the premier talents in European football.
Mohammed Kudus- West Ham
Iliman Ndiaye- Everton
Nuno Tavares- Lazio
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia- Napoli
Chidera Ejuke- Sevilla
Vinícius Júnior- Real Madrid
Florian Wirtz- Bayer Leverkusen
Lamine Yamal- Barcelona
Raúl Moro- Real Valladolid
Dodô Cordeiro- Fiorentina
The index is calculated on a scale from 0 to 100 and takes into account the percentage of successful dribbles compared to those attempted. The CIES considers a successful dribble only when the team of the player who attempted it manages to maintain possession of the ball by approaching the goal or when the targeted player commits a foul. The data presented in the report refers only to league matches in the 2024/25 season and only players who have played at least 360 minutes so far have been taken into account.
Arsenal and Newcastle United are reportedly interested in signing Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, following his impressive start to the Premier League season.
Accra Lions announced today that the club has sent winger Daniel Awuni on loan to Norwegian club Sarpsborg 08 of the Eliteserien (Top Division) through July 31, 2025.
Reports from Spain suggest that FC Barcelona is actively considering the addition of Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey to their roster for the upcoming season.
Partey’s contract with Arsenal is set to expire in June 2025, and speculation surrounding his potential departure is growing. Reports indicate that the Gunners are preparing for this possibility by targeting Atalanta midfielder Ederson as a potential replacement.
The Ghana international has been instrumental in Arsenal's resurgence under Mikel Arteta, consistently serving as a vital contributor to the team, starting every Premier League match this season.
It has been reported that Barcelona expressed interest in Thomas Partey during the summer transfer window, but were unable to finalise a deal as Mikel Arteta was not willing to part with him at that time.
Barcelona's interest in Partey persists, and given his contract situation, they will be eligible to initiate discussions for a pre-contract agreement in January, potentially paving the way for a free transfer next summer.
However, the Catalan club continues to face financial constraints, making the acquisition of an experienced player like Partey on a free transfer an attractive opportunity that could significantly enhance their squad without straining their budget.
Emerging reports suggest that Barcelona, along with Premier League heavyweights Liverpool and Manchester City, are keen on acquiring Ghanaian midfielder Mohammed Kudus.
The Reds are actively seeking to bolster their attacking options, making Kudus a potentially ideal signing, especially with Mohamed Salah's future in question.
On the other hand, while Manchester City boasts several attacking options, Pep Guardiola is known for his affinity for versatile players.
With Kevin De Bruyne now 33, the West Ham star could prove to be a valuable long-term addition. Given that Kudus has already demonstrated his quality in the Premier League, it’s no surprise that both clubs are keen to secure his services.
The 24-year-old established himself at Ajax during a successful three-year stint before making the switch to West Ham in the summer of 2023, where he has continued to excel and impress.
In his debut season with the Hammers, the attacking midfielder made an impactful contribution across 45 matches, tallying 20 goal involvements with 14 goals and 6 assists.
Despite the interest, West Ham are initially reluctant to part ways with Mohammed Kudus. The youngster is under contract with the club until June 2028, and they value him as a key part of their plans.
However, according to Italian outlet Fichajes, a significant offer of €100 Million could tempt them to consider a sale.
The pressing question now is whether Barcelona, Liverpool, and Manchester City will be willing to meet Fiorentina's asking price for this highly promising talent.
Antoine Semenyo's rise at AFC Bournemouth has been a journey of fantastic growth and transformation.
He has quickly become a pivotal player for the club, showcasing his rise from a promising talent to a key figure in Andoni Iraola's system.
His physical presence, natural footballing talent and tactical awareness have made him a driving force in the Cherries' attack.
Already contributing goals and assists this season, Semenyo's importance to the team nowadays is undeniable when it comes to matchdays.
As Bournemouth’s attacking line-up evolves, his energy, directness and ability to create chances have made him indispensable to the squad’s current success with his name being the first on the team sheet.
The question is: how did this remarkable transformation happen so quickly?
Antoine Semenyo has become a key player in Bournemouth’s system and has thrived since Andoni Iraola’s arrival at the club, suiting the manager’s direct, attacking system perfectly.
His speed, direct dribbling, and physicality make him a natural fit for the high press and he sees much success from it as a result.
Playing across the front line, Semenyo’s footballing ability adds quality to the field with his ball-carrying ability and strength combined.
Semenyo easily shrugs off opponents and often breaks defensive lines, allowing Bournemouth to exploit transitions - a key part of the club’s style of play.
One of the key features of the Ghanaian is the ability to cut inside, beat defenders and power a shot towards goal, which has seen him score plenty of goals as a result.
But he is just as comfortable running down the line and this is mainly down to his equal competence with both feet, leaving defenders wondering which way he will turn and whether there is a shot incoming or not.
During defensive phases, he is relentless at pressing, making him vital in Iraola’s counter-pressing tactics and a key asset within the system.
Whilst his finishing still needs refining, Semenyo's movement off the ball and his work in link-up play help create opportunities for teammates.
It is this array of qualities that make him a class player for the club, providing buckets of quality to the side and executing Iraola’s tactics to great effect.
When Semenyo made the switch from Bristol City to Bournemouth in January 2023, he initially struggled a little to adapt to the new environment of a Premier League club.
Bournemouth, under the management of Gary O’Neil at the time, operated with a far more defensive, conservative system compared to what Semenyo is used to playing now.
This limited the attacking opportunities available to him, making it difficult for him to truly express his abilities on the pitch and convert them into goal contributions.
Adjusting to Premier League football was another challenge; stepping up to the top flight from the Championship can be daunting for many players, and Semenyo was no exception.
In his early appearances, he often appeared out of sync with the pace and physicality of the league, which was reflected in his output.
Although game time was limited, Semenyo did manage to make a notable impact by scoring his first Premier League goal in a 4-1 victory against Leeds United in front of a home crowd.
The goal was an important milestone, but it did not fully capture the struggles he faced in adapting to the system.
During this period, his decision-making seemed uncertain and he lacked the confidence to be as direct or decisive as he needed to be.
Whether it was holding onto the ball for too long or hesitating in key moments, it was clear that Semenyo required further development to improve his game.
His play appeared hesitant, showing flashes of potential but also indicating the need for more guidance and refinement, and, perhaps, a new system to work under.
These early performances reflected a player in need of polish, both in terms of confidence and tactical awareness, as he sought to establish himself at the top level of English football.
Semenyo’s transformation from his debut Premier League season to the last campaign has been remarkable.
In his second season, he evolved both physically and mentally, shedding his early uncertainty and emerging as a powerful, confident presence on the pitch.
It was evident from the first game that Semenyo had bulked up, using his superior strength to dominate defenders and assert himself in duels.
Beyond his physical development, the Ghanaian seemed to thrive in ‘Iraola ball’, which perfectly complemented his natural talents and direct running style.
Iraola’s tactical approach harnessed Semenyo’s strengths, refining his off-the-ball movement and pressing ability.
Semenyo quickly adapted, becoming integral to Bournemouth’s attack, and being almost undroppable.
His growth was reflected in his impressive stats last season, where he netted eight goals and provided two assists in 33 games.
Standout performances against the likes of Newcastle United and Luton Town, in a famous 4-3 Bournemouth win, cemented his status as one of the team’s key players.
Now, Semenyo is not only a regular starter but also a player fans expect to see on the team sheet one hour before kick-off.
This season, Semenyo has already netted three goals and added an assist in seven games, stepping up after Dominic Solanke’s departure.
With Bournemouth needing fresh attacking outlets, Semenyo has embraced his new role, offering creativity and a direct approach that has sparked key moments for the Cherries.
His performances have cemented him as a crucial figure for the team’s success.
With Semenyo fast becoming a rising star, fans will hope they can keep hold of a player who seems destined to shine even brighter on bigger stages.
This article was originally published by Vavel.com on 12 October 2024. Read the full article on Vavel.com
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