Antoine Semenyo may be just weeks into his Manchester City career, but he can already feel the serial English Premier League winners switching into title-winning mentality as the run-in tightens.
The 26-year-old forward scored the lone goal in a 1-0 win at Leeds that pulled City within two points of leaders Arsenal after 28 games.
Pep Guardiola’s side have made a habit of tightening the screws come spring, stacking unbeaten streaks and grinding out narrow wins.
"Definitely seeing it, it starts from training – little habits, passing, possession, just making sure that attention to detail, everyone’s focused and not lacking,” said Semenyo.
"Everyone is just major focused, and that shift in mentality is so crazy.”
City’s league-leading scorer Erling Haaland missed the game with an injury, with Semenyo – who has six goals and two assists in his 11 games since arriving at the Etihad Stadium in January - admitting the weight of responsibility is greater when the Norwegian is absent.
"Being up front, if the big man's not there, you have to fill his boots," the Ghana forward said. "It's always going to be big pressure when you're replacing Erling in the team."
But Semenyo's impact has been seamless, something he credits to his teammates and Guardiola. "The boys make it so easy for me to adapt," he said. "They try to play to my strengths, and the coach helps me just be me - be confident, be calm - and pop up with goals. Playing around world-class players keeps me on my toes."
Asked whether he was surprised by Semenyo’s immediate impact, Guardiola said the club had simply hoped the new signing would fit.
REUTERS
