Ghana & Bournemouth ace Semenyo ranks Super Eagles star among Premier League’s toughest defenders

Ghana international Antoine Semenyo has named Super Eagles star Ola Aina among the toughest defenders he has faced in the English Premier League this season, Soccernet.ng reports.

The AFC Bournemouth forward, speaking to Bleacher Report via Ghanasoccernet, also included Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and Tottenham Hotspur’s Destiny Udogie in his list of the hardest opponents he has come up against.

“Van Dijk was tough when we played them [against Liverpool] home and away. I think Udogie as well. He is a tough player to come up against. Ola Aina is also up there. I think those three,” Semenyo stated.

Ola Aina has won the ball back in his own defensive third more than any other player in the Top 5 leagues

He has 105 recoveries, THIRTEEN more than the next best pic.twitter.com/HpElMG1t4I

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 10, 2025

The 25-year-old has been one of Bournemouth’s standout performers in the 2024/25 season, scoring seven goals and providing four assists in 27 appearances. His impressive form has reportedly attracted interest from Arsenal ahead of the summer transfer window.

Aina’s inclusion in Semenyo’s list comes as no surprise, given the Nigerian’s exceptional performances for Nottingham Forest this season.

The 28-year-old full-back has been a defensive powerhouse, ranking as Europe’s top ball-winner across the continent’s five major leagues, according to statistics from WhoScored.

Ola Aina has won possession in the defensive third at least 13 more times than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues this season (105).

Machine. pic.twitter.com/vmwQEYlSt5

— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) March 10, 2025

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A key figure in Forest’s backline, Aina has played over 2,500 minutes across all competitions, helping goalkeeper Matz Sels keep 12 Premier League clean sheets — the most in the division this season and the joint-highest tally of Aina’s career.

The Nigerian international has also proven to be a crucial disruptor in opposition attacks, leading his squad with 30 interceptions, a stat that ranks him joint-26th across the entire Premier League.

When football turns into art ft. Ola Aina. #TotalEnergiesAFCON pic.twitter.com/vG90N1Ql8w

— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) February 21, 2025

His defensive abilities were on full display in Forest’s recent 1-0 win over Manchester City, where he made a crucial tackle on Omar Marmoush that led to the game-winning goal.

Facing City’s tricky winger Jérémy Doku, Aina delivered a commanding defensive performance—winning four ground duels, making three clearances (including two-headed clearances), and recovering the ball four times.

Aina has been included in Nigeria’s Squad to trade tackles with Rwanda and Zimbabwe later this month.