Manchester City have no shortage of exciting midfield options for the 2026/27 Fantasy Premier League season, but two names stand out after excellent campaigns last year: Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki.
Semenyo is priced at £8.5m, while Cherki comes in at £7.5m for the upcoming FPL season. Both players enjoyed brilliant 2025/26 campaigns, with Semenyo establishing himself as one of the league's standout attackers and Cherki exceeding expectations during his first season in English football. But which one should FPL managers prioritise?
Semenyo and Cherki FPL Prices
Semenyo's £8.5m price represents a significant £1.5m increase from the £7.0m he cost last season. Cherki, meanwhile, has risen by £1m from £6.5m to £7.5m.
Both price increases are understandable considering their performances. Semenyo was one of the most productive attackers in the Premier League, while Cherki immediately demonstrated that his creativity could translate to English football.
Manchester City themselves highlighted the pair's importance during their 2025/26 campaign, with both players making a major impact after arriving at the club.
Semenyo vs Cherki: 2025/26 Stats
The biggest difference between the two players is their attacking output.
Antoine Semenyo:
- 17 goals
- 4 assists
- 202 FPL points
Rayan Cherki:
- 4 goals
- 12 assists
- 135 FPL points
Semenyo therefore has a clear advantage in terms of goal involvement and FPL production. His 202 points were particularly impressive and give him a sizeable lead over Cherki.
Cherki's numbers, however, deserve plenty of praise. His 12 Premier League assists put him second in the league's playmaker standings only behind Bruno Fernandes, while his four goals gave him 16 goal contributions overall.
Why Cherki's Numbers Are So Impressive
While Semenyo obviously produced the superior attacking numbers, there is an important context behind Cherki's campaign.
Players moving to the Premier League often need time to adapt to the pace, physicality and tactical demands of English football. Cherki managed to produce four goals and 12 assists immediately after arriving from Lyon.
That makes his 16 Premier League goal contributions particularly impressive.
There was also a difference in how the two players were used. Semenyo had already established himself as one of Bournemouth's main attacking outlets before moving to City in January, with much of Bournemouth's attack built around his directness and ability to create danger.
Cherki, on the other hand, was gradually integrated into Guardiola's Manchester City side. He eventually forced his way into the starting XI and became an increasingly influential creative player.
That progression could be significant for FPL managers heading into 2026/27.
FPL Points: Semenyo Has the Edge
If we look purely at last season's FPL output, there is little debate.
Semenyo scored 202 FPL points compared with Cherki's 135.
That is a 67-point difference, making Semenyo the much safer pick based on previous FPL performance.
His ability to score goals also gives him a potentially higher ceiling. Goals are generally more valuable than assists in FPL, and Semenyo's 17-goal campaign demonstrates exactly why he can be such a dangerous fantasy asset.
Cherki's strength is his creativity. Twelve assists show that he has the potential to deliver consistent returns even when he does not score himself.
The Maresca Factor
The biggest question surrounding both players is how new Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca will use them.
Maresca has replaced Pep Guardiola and is beginning a new era at the Etihad. Semenyo has already spoken positively about the transition, noting the similarities between Maresca's approach and Guardiola's football.
However, FPL managers will still have to watch out for rotation.
Guardiola was famously willing to rotate his attacking players, and Maresca has inherited a squad packed with quality options. If he adopts a similarly strict rotation policy, both Semenyo and Cherki could occasionally find themselves on the bench.
That uncertainty is important because an £8.5m midfielder needs regular starts to justify his price.
Verdict: Semenyo or Cherki?
Both are excellent FPL options, but if you could only pick one, Antoine Semenyo is the better 2026/27 FPL pick.
His £8.5m price is expensive compared with Cherki, but his 17 goals, 4 assists and 202 FPL points from last season provide a much stronger statistical foundation. He has already proven that he can be one of the league's best attacking players.
Cherki is still an extremely attractive option at £7.5m, particularly for managers looking to save £1m while gaining access to a highly creative Manchester City midfielder. His first season in England was outstanding, and there is plenty of room for further development.
Ideally, FPL managers should consider owning both when Manchester City's fixtures turn favourable. But if forced to choose just one, Semenyo should be the priority.
Final verdict: Semenyo all the way, unless saving £1m makes Cherki the better fit for your squad.
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