Too Little, Too Late: Antoine Semenyo Signing and Marc Guehi Pursuit Won’t Save Man City’s Title Hopes

Manchester City fans were left scratching their heads once again as their side dropped yet another crucial point in the Premier League.

The recent signing of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth seemed like a statement of intent, and the pursuit of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi has raised eyebrows as a potential fix for City’s defensive woes. But while these moves might strengthen Pep Guardiola’s squad for the long term, they are unlikely to rescue City’s faltering title challenge.

Semenyo’s Farewell Magic

Antoine Semenyo said goodbye to Bournemouth in the most dramatic fashion imaginable, scoring a 95th-minute winner against Tottenham Hotspur at the Vitality Stadium. It wasn’t just a goal; it was a storybook ending to an 11-game winless run in the Premier League for Bournemouth. His teammates, including Marcus Tavernier, couldn’t hide their excitement, with Tavernier telling Sky Sports: “There was no better way for his last game to go. That was the type of stuff you write in movies and no man deserves it more than him.”

The goal was also a reminder of why Manchester City were so keen to secure his signature. Semenyo’s pace, strength, and knack for scoring important goals make him an ideal fit for Guardiola’s attack. With 10 goals this season, only Erling Haaland (20) and Igor Thiago (16) have been more prolific in City’s sights. Yet, the bigger question remains: has City’s window shopping for Semenyo come too late to salvage their Premier League ambitions?

Meanwhile, City fans at the Etihad were left to ponder the consequences of yet another dropped point, this time a 1-1 draw against Brighton. The euphoria surrounding Semenyo’s move could hardly mask the frustration inside Manchester.

Finishing 2025 with a Flourish

Nottingham Forest v Manchester City – Premier League

City’s season started unevenly, but by the end of the calendar year, Guardiola’s side looked ominously strong. Between November 29 and December 27, City won eight matches across all competitions, including a statement victory over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu. The six-game winning streak in the Premier League was arguably even more critical, narrowing Arsenal’s advantage at the top of the table to just two points.

However, this small gap has the potential to balloon. If Arsenal defeats Liverpool at the Emirates, City’s deficit could rise to eight points—a tough mountain to climb. And with Liverpool struggling to maintain their usual standards this season, City find themselves in the rare situation of needing other results to help their title challenge rather than solely relying on their own form.

City’s Supposed Turning Point

Manchester City FC v Al-Hilal: Round Of 16 – FIFA Club World Cup 2025

City seemed to be building momentum after their 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest at the tail end of 2025. Rayan Cherki’s late winner in the 83rd minute showcased a side capable of grinding out results even under pressure—a trait Guardiola insists was missing in the trophy-less 2024-25 campaign.

Guardiola himself pinpointed a critical moment that reshaped City’s mentality: the Club World Cup defeat to Al-Hilal in June 2025. That 4-3 loss in Orlando acted as a wake-up call. “We looked at ourselves and talked and many things changed from there,” Guardiola told TNT Sports. He emphasized the importance of resilience, teamwork, and the emotional connection between the players and fans. According to the Catalan coach, football is as much about suffering and fighting for each other as it is about scoring goals.

“We Are on the Hunt”

City’s victory at Forest even drew praise from former England goalkeeper Joe Hart, who described it as a “championship-winning performance.” Midfielder Tijjani Reijnders echoed that sentiment, signaling to Arsenal that City’s hunt for the title was far from over. “We know a lot of clubs suffer here,” the Dutchman said. “Nottingham Forest at home is always difficult, and I felt it as well today. So, it’s a very important win—we are on the hunt.”

Given City’s history of closing gaps and chasing down leaders, this sense of determination was encouraging. But any optimism was soon tempered by the events of early 2026.

Three Damaging Draws

The start of the New Year brought a stark reality check. In the first week of January, City drew three consecutive games: a scoreless stalemate against Sunderland, a 1-1 home draw with Chelsea, and another 1-1 tie with Brighton. These results effectively erased the momentum built up in December, leaving Guardiola visibly frustrated.

Speaking after the Brighton draw, Guardiola admitted that despite playing well, the team had failed to convert chances. “We missed the passes when it was two against one. And so, we didn’t score goals. [We are missing] too many clear chances, and it’s not just one or two players—it’s all the players up front.”

While it’s easy to blame profligacy, City’s struggles are more complex than poor finishing. Brighton and Chelsea both deserved points in their respective fixtures, demonstrating that City’s defensive vulnerabilities are equally pressing.

Defensive Concerns

Liverpool To Deal For Marc Guehi After Community Shield | The Liverpool Offside

Injuries have compounded City’s defensive issues. Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias, and the ever-injured John Stones have all been sidelined at crucial moments, forcing Guardiola to deploy midfielders as makeshift full-backs. While City’s defensive record—just 19 goals conceded in 21 games—remains strong statistically, the makeshift backline has shown cracks, particularly in transitions. The infamous 5-4 win at Fulham serves as a glaring example.

These concerns have made City seriously consider pursuing Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. With Guehi’s contract expiring at the end of the season, Guardiola views him as a key solution for a backline that has struggled with consistency. While Palace boss Oliver Glasner has hinted that the defender won’t come cheap, City are reportedly willing to spend around £40 million to secure his services—a small price for a proven Premier League performer.

Too Little, Too Late?

While signing Semenyo and potentially Guehi would undoubtedly strengthen City’s squad for the Champions League, it’s unclear whether these additions can revive their Premier League title hopes. Semenyo brings pace, physicality, and versatility to an attack that has struggled to finish chances, while Guehi would provide the defensive solidity the team currently lacks.

Guardiola has been candid about the situation, acknowledging that wins are the only thing that matter in the title race. “If you don’t win games, you cannot think about these things,” he said after the Brighton draw. Arsenal, meanwhile, are showing no signs of weakening, making City’s task even more daunting.

In short, while these moves could be transformative in the long run, they may simply be too little, too late for a Premier League campaign that was once full of promise but now looks increasingly out of reach.