‘Unplayable’ – Harry Redknapp issues warning to Bournemouth to ‘hang on’ to star man
Harry Redknapp has alerted Bournemouth to hold on to one of their key players after Andoni Iraola’s squad was depleted this summer.
Despite raising a tremendous amount of funds from the monumental sales of several of their high-profile stars, the Cherries are looking very light across the pitch.
Dean Huijsen left to join Real Madrid before the Club World Cup, whilst Milos Kerkez ventured to Liverpool to become Andy Robertson’s long-term replacement.
Iraola’s side managed to go toe-to-toe with the Premier League champions on 15 August, managing to get the game level after two counter-attacking goals from Antoine Semenyo.
Former Tottenham boss Redknapp touched on the Ghanian’s performance and how the south coast side must keep a hold of him.
Antoine Semenyo hailed amid interest from Premier League clubs
Semenyo had been of significant interest of both Newcastle and Tottenham, yet the forward penned a new contract to keep him at the club until 2030.
Speaking on talkSPORT (16 August), ex-QPR manager Redknapp raved about the Ghana international and his talismanic quality.
The former Portsmouth gaffer said: “He [Semenyo] is a real talent…on his day he is unplayable, he really is. His ability to run with the ball, his skill, he’s powerful, he’s good in the air, he can score a goal from wide positions, he’s got the lot.
“He could play through the middle as well as playing wide. He is a real talent and he showed that last night (15 August).”
Following up on his critical importance to the Cherries in the hope he stays this summer, Redknapp added: “Hopefully they [Bournemouth] can hang on [to him].
“I know he signed a new contract but you never know, do you? I’m sure there’d been lots of clubs looking at that [Semenyo’s performance] last night and, you know, top four/five clubs [thinking] ‘my god, he could make a different to us if we could get him’.”
Bournemouth defied doubters against Liverpool as Semenyo shone
Football Insider verdict
Considering many pundits and fans wrote off the Cherries before the season even begun, Iraola’s side put in a dogged performance against the title-holders.
Adam Smith remained as the only defensive regular in the backline at Anfield, yet the defence did relatively well to weather the storm against the Reds.
Most impressive was Bournemouth’s ability to win the ball back from Arne Slot’s team, quickly turning defence into attack in the blink of an eye.
| Antoine Semenyo v Liverpool (15 August) | |
| Minutes played | 90 |
| Goals | 2 |
| Shots (on target) | 3 (2) |
| Big chances missed | 1 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 0.91 |
Both of Semenyo’s goals came via this method with the former Bristol City wide man incredible on the opening day of the Premier League season, despite suffering appalling racist abuse.
Even with the issue bringing the game to a temporary standstill, I was extremely impressed with the Ghanian’s attitude to re-focus and strike twice in what would have been a difficult scenario without a shadow of a doubt.
For Iraola, the Spaniard showed the English top-flight why he is regarded as one of the best managers in the league, capable of performing well even with a reduced squad.