Explore the latest developments concerning Manchester City v.
Antoine Semenyo, it seems likely, will soon join Manchester City from Bournemouth for a fee of £65m. Given how well Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden have played from the right this season, it is not immediately obvious why City need him, but the modern game is the modern game, the rammed calendar makes large and flexible squads essential and Pep Guardiola may have some esoteric plan for the Ghanaian anyway. But perhaps what is most striking about the deal is the fee – or, more precisely, how little attention it has drawn.
English football has become inured to big transfers. The fee feels about right. Semenyo is 25. He has four and a half years left on his contract. He is quick, skilful, intelligent and works hard. He is disciplined, but has the capacity to do the unexpected. Of course a player of his ability costs that much. Yet £65m would make him the third-most expensive player in Bundesliga history. He would be the seventh-most expensive in Serie A history, the 14th-most expensive in La Liga history. Only nine non-English clubs have paid a fee higher than that. Even in Premier League terms, Semenyo sneaks into the top 25.
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The ESPN FC crew give their predictions for Manchester City vs. Chelsea in the Premier League. (2:12)
A chaotic week for the now manager-less Chelsea culminates in a trip to title-chasing Manchester City, and you can follow ESPN's coverage live.
After the afternoon's undercard Premier League action, the main event on the opening weekend of 2026 is here as Calum McFarlane takes on Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.
Will City close in on Arsenal? Or will Chelsea pull off a shock for their caretaker boss? Enjoy the live minute-by-minute updates with ESPN
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How to watch the Premier League match between Manchester City and Chelsea, as well as kick-off time and team news.
Manchester City welcome Chelsea to the Etihad Stadium in one of the standout fixtures of Gameweek 20 in the Premier League. City, currently second in the league table, are aiming to maintain their title challenge and bounce back after being held to a 0–0 draw by Sunderland in their last outing.
The Cityzens’ overall form has been excellent this season — unbeaten in their last nine matches across competitions, with eight wins and one draw. They have one of the league’s most potent attacks – having scored 43 goals so far – largely thanks to Erling Haaland’s contribution. Pep Guardiola’s side are not just prolific in attack, but they also have a strong defensive record alongside leaders Arsenal, making them favourites at home against Chelsea.
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