Chelsea target’s manager tells him why he should reject Blues

Bristol City manager Lee Johnson says exciting forward Antoine Semenyo should ignore interest from Chelsea and stay at Ashton Gate.

Chelsea want the 19-year-old, who has been recalled by the Championship side from a loan spell at Newport County.

Semenyo was hugely impressive at Newport, enhancing his reputation as one of the country’s best prospects.

But Johnson says Chelsea’s interest in Semenyo is as a player for the future rather than someone Blues boss Maurizio Sarri going to pick any time soon.

And on that basis, Johnson is convinced Semenyo should look to make a name for himself in the Championship rather than push for a move to Stamford Bridge.

Johnson told Bristol Live: “It’s no secret that there’s been interest from some top clubs.

“We’ve really looked after Antoine. We took him from college and gave him a contract which was the proudest moment of his life, we then saw what we had and gave him a new contract.

“The interest from Chelsea, when they come calling you get dazzled by the lights.

“When you’re training with the first team and with Sarri it’s different, but when it’s an academy buy…

“He can earn his stripes at this football club.”