Black Stars forward and Bournemouth attacker Antoine Semenyo has revealed the three toughest defenders he has faced in the Premier League this season. Speaking to Bleacher Report, the Ghanaian forward highlighted Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, Tottenham’s Destiny Udogie, and Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina as the most challenging opponents.
Semenyo, who has been a key part of Bournemouth’s attacking setup, admitted that coming up against these defenders was a real test. “Van Dijk was tough when we played Liverpool home and away,” he said. “Udogie is also difficult to play against, and Ola Aina is up there as well. I think those three have been the toughest.”
Among the three, Aina’s inclusion stands out, as he is often underrated compared to established names like Van Dijk. The Nigerian defender has been a key figure for Nottingham Forest this season, playing over 2,500 minutes in all competitions and helping his side secure 12 Premier League clean sheets.
Aina has proven to be a vital asset in defense, leading his squad with 30 interceptions—a stat that places him joint-26th across the entire league. His ability to read the game, make crucial tackles, and shut down attacking threats has been instrumental for Nottingham Forest’s survival push.
Beyond his defensive contributions, Aina has also had an impact offensively, scoring two goals and providing one assist in 28 league appearances. One of his standout performances came in Forest’s 1-0 win over Manchester City, where he won four ground duels, made three clearances—including two headed clearances—and recovered the ball four times.
His impressive form has earned him a place in Nigeria’s final 23-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. Aina’s call-up reinforces his growing reputation as one of Africa’s top defenders in Europe’s elite leagues.
Meanwhile, Semenyo continues to make a name for himself in the Premier League, testing his abilities against top-class defenders every week. His recognition of Aina, alongside world-class names like Van Dijk and Udogie, highlights just how impressive the Nottingham Forest right-back has been this season.
With the season nearing its climax, Aina will look to maintain his strong performances for both club and country, while Semenyo will aim to build on his own development at Bournemouth. The recognition from an opponent like Semenyo further underlines Aina’s growing stature in the Premier League.
Comment and Earn N5.... comments are approved manually by admin.. Comment must be long and from the post.. short comments will not be approved