The benefit of signing two proven players in January is clear to see for Manchester City

Manchester City have made two massive signings during the January transfer window. Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo both arrived at the club this month from Crystal Palace and Bournemouth. Both players have added proven Premier League pedigree and quality to Pep Guardiola’s squad. The benefit of City having signed both was on full display in Manchester City’s 2-nil win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Etihad on Saturday.

Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo have added exactly what this Manchester City team needed.

Manchester City knew what they were getting when they signed Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo. They were adding Premier League-proven players who could arrive at City and make an immediate impact. Both players were arguably the best two players in the Premier League who weren’t playing for a so-called ‘big club’. They arrived at City in the prime of their careers and ready to take the next step. The early signs have been extremely positive from both Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo.

After injuries to Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias and John Stones, Manchester City needed a centre-back who could add perform straight away and add quality, leadership and a sense of calm at the back. They signed exactly that in Marc Guehi. The England international had an impressive debut for City against Wolves, and he showed that he will add exactly what Pep Guardiola’s side needed.

Antoine Semenyo has hit the ground running for Manchester City. He has now scored three goals in four games after scoring against Wolves at the weekend. Semenyo was brought in to add another goal threat to Pep Guardiola’s squad. He was Premier League proven, given his feats at Bournemouth. The fact that he’s made an impressive start to his City career shows that the club made a shrewd move in signing Semenyo this month.

Pep Guardiola knows that Guehi and Semenyo will be key players for his team.

Speaking after his team’s win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, Pep Guardiola told the media that Manchester City have signed two quality players in Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi. Speaking on the pair, he explained: “Absolutely. They are set up players. Last season it was young players [who we brought in] except Omar. Semenyo made an incredible impact at Bournemouth.”

“Antoine came with incredible energy and strikers are about numbers. Since he arrived he has been unbelievable. [It was an] Incredible goal. It looks easy but the control is perfect to pass the ball to the net. He made another chance with a pass from Marc and he hit the crossbar.”

“Marc, I don’t need to tell you who he is. He knows everything. I remember it is similar to when Ruben arrived and he had incredible focus for every action. With the ball he has incredible composure. We didn’t train anything yet but I have the feeling in the middle we did a little better.”

Manchester City knew what they were getting when they completed the signings of Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi. They were getting experienced players who could come in immediately and make an impact in roles that City needed to fill in Pep Guardiola’s squad. The early signs have been extremely positive from both Semenyo and Guehi, and if the pair can quickly establish themselves as key players for Manchester City, their signings during this month’s transfer window could be looked at as a crucial moment for City for this season and beyond.