Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola refused to be drawn on speculation Antoine Semenyo could leave in January after his side conceded late on to draw against Burnley.
The Ghana forward put the Cherries 1-0 up in the 67th minute, but Bournemouth were pegged back by a last-minute equaliser from Armando Broja, giving Burnley their first point in eight games.
While not the winning striker, Semenyo’s importance was again highlighted with his eighth goal of the season, which comes amidst speculation that he could leave in the upcoming transfer window.
Reports suggest the 25-year-old has a £65m release clause that will only be active in January, leaving the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool circling.
Asked specifically about the future of Semenyo, Iraola did not comment but noted it was “not a big secret” how important he was.
“He is a massive player for us,” the Cherries boss told the BBC. “It is not a big secret,” he added.
Regarding the result, which sees Bournemouth drop to 14th, Iraola said they were punished for not finishing the game.
“We were feeling like we were having the best chances, but we didn’t kill it. We are conceding a lot of set plays, and it is a big punishment for us. We deserved to win,” he noted.
“Burnley have been competitive in every game. We should be 2-0 up, so if something like this happens, it is just 2-1. We didn’t close the game when we were playing better.”
“This is the Premier League, and you cannot have these mistakes defensively and offensively. In the last part of the first half, we started conceding some fouls, and the game became a bit messier. We became more aggressive off the ball; we dominated, but it is just a point.”
“Everything is costing us a lot. One point is better than losing; you have to value every point, but we have to find a way to go for three points.”
In the last five games, Bournemouth have the fifth-worst form in the league, and an early push towards the top end of the table has been replaced with a slip down it.
FAQ
1. What was the final score of the Bournemouth vs Burnley match?
The match ended in a 1-1 draw.
2. Who scored the goals in the match?
Antoine Semenyo scored for Bournemouth, while Armando Broja equalized for Burnley.
3. Why is there speculation about Antoine Semenyo’s future?
There are reports of a £65m release clause becoming active in January, attracting interest from clubs like Manchester City and Liverpool.
4. How did Bournemouth’s manager, Andoni Iraola, react to the match?
Iraola expressed disappointment at not finishing the game and emphasized the team’s need to be more efficient in critical moments.
5. Where do Bournemouth currently stand in the league?
Bournemouth is currently in 14th place in the league standings.
6. What does Iraola think about Semenyo’s contributions to the team?
Iraola considers Semenyo a vital player for Bournemouth, highlighting his impact on the team’s performance.
7. What are Bournemouth’s recent performances in the league?
In their last five games, Bournemouth has the fifth-worst form in the league, indicating a decline from their earlier position.