Bristol City striker Antoine Semenyo has suffered a shin injury that has kept him out for three months and missed all pre-season matches including the first set of the 2022/23 season. His condition has also become the focus of many franchises related to player transfer portals.
Semenyo will have to go through rehabilitation until September
The Robins played Madagascar in Ghana earlier this month, and Semenyo was injured during the match. The damage was initially thought to be minor, but it worsened over the next few days.
Semenyo recently went to a physician for a check on his injury. This also has to do with his future participation in matches.
The physician recognized a rather serious shin ailment based on the examination results. Semenyo was unable to return to training until early September as a result of this.
Nonetheless, Chief Medical Officer Dave Rennie thought that the timeframe could be shortened depending on the severity of the damage during the healing period.
Pearson has no plans to sign new striker
As a Bristol City manager and former professional footballer, Nigel Pearson has plenty of options in the striker lineup. Some of them are Christopher Martin, Andi Weimann, Nahki Wells, Tommy Conway, and Sam Bell.
However, the Robins he manages ideally want to start a new campaign with his WSM front line together. Although the status of Wells’s expiring contract is still uncertain, so far there has been no sign of Pearson’s desire to replace the Robins striker line.
In addition, after Semenyo returned from his long-term injury last season the Robins had a fantastic advantage. In one game, the dynamic forward moved into a central role alongside Martin, scoring eight goals and adding 12 assists in 31 league appearances.
Therefore, Semenyo’s injury is not expected to make him willing to try and also recruit a new striker.
‘Selling’ value of Semenyo rises
Earlier this year, Semenyo was named the Championship Player of the Month. The 22-year-old player also received a transfer offer by Nottingham Forest which was later rejected due to increasing interest in offers.
Semenyo is considered to be the subject of further interest this summer. In this regard, Celtic, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Forest, and Brighton & Hove Albion continue to monitor the situation closely.
This is related to Semenyo’s position as an important player in the Robins counter-attack system. Semenyo is able to play a role as a goalscorer as well as a provider and presser outside of ownership.
Semenyo’s transfer may be canceled
If Semenyo can’t live up to many expectations of a return in early September, it will eliminate the possibility of him being transferred this summer. This is because no team is going to take a short decision by paying dearly for an injured player.
Semenyo will reportedly remain at the Robins as a striker and secure the Robins’ franchise status and continuity in the following seasons. At least, over the next few months, the Robins can hold on to one of the deadliest attacking prospects outside the Premier League.
Furthermore, the Robins can also activate a 12-month option at some stage to extend Semenyo’s contract until 2024 if the striker is not transferred this season.
