Antony has 'transformed his career' with move to Real Betis from Manchester United, says Martin Keown after sensational Conference League display
Published 09/05/2025 at 09:08 GMT+1
Martin Keown believes Antony has "transformed his career" by joining Real Betis on loan from Manchester United. The Brazilian continued his fine run of form with Betis as he scored a free-kick and set up the winner in his side's 4-3 aggregate win against Fiorentina to reach the final of the UEFA Conference League. The final between Chelsea and Real Betis will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
'Transformed' Antony has been a 'runaway success' at Betis
Video credit: TNT Sports
Martin Keown believes Antony has "transformed his career" by moving to Real Betis, after the winger played a key role in the Spanish side reaching the UEFA Conference League final.
The 25-year-old set up the winning goal in extra-time as Betis claimed a 4-3 aggregate win over Fiorentina, having opened the scoring in Thursday’s second leg with a spectacular free-kick to add to his goal from the first leg a week earlier.
The Brazilian now has eight goals and five assists to his name since arriving on loan from Manchester United in January.
Discussing Antony’s remarkable turnaround in form, Martin Keown said on TNT Sports: "(He’s) transformed his career in a moment, the goals he scores - another two in this tie now to put them through."
Analysing the Brazilian’s free-kick, Keown said: "This is really classy, to take the confidence to do that and then execute as well, all the way it looks in.
"He’s lost none of his confidence, has he?"
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Antony fires free-kick past De Gea as Betis strike first in Italy
Video credit: TNT Sports
Betis will now take on tournament favourites Chelsea in the final in Wrocław on Wednesday, 28 May. The game will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Enzo Maresca’s side cruised past Djurgarden in their semi-final tie, with a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night sealing a 5-1 aggregate victory over the Swedish outfit.
Keown thinks Antony could play a key role against Chelsea, but believes the Premier League side will have "too much quality" for Betis.
The former Arsenal defender said: "It will be interesting to see whether Antony can actually pop up again.
"I think he will, he’s trying to make a name for himself, it wouldn’t surprise me if he notches, but Chelsea surely will have too much for them, the quality that they've got."
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Highlights: Betis need extra time to edge past Fiorentina into final
Video credit: TNT Sports
Antony’s loan spell at Betis is due to come to an end after the current campaign, but the club’s chief executive recently confirmed they would like to extend the loan for another year.
Ramon Alarcon told El Desmarque: "(Antony) has 20 days left with the team and is like one of the team members.
"We'll see when the summer arrives if there's an option to bring him in for another year."
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Former Liverpool and West Ham United midfielder Don Hutchison believes the Brazilian’s success in Spain is all down to renewed confidence.
He told TNT Sports: "(His) confidence is back, which is something as a player you can't measure.
"We've got all the data, you can measure players’ distances and assists and goals, but you can never measure a player’s confidence.
"And when you’re confident you try things, you do things and it comes naturally."
After being a trophy machine throughout the last two decades, Chelsea will be looking for their first piece of silverware since 2021 in Poland later this month.
Betis have never won a European trophy, but they did win the La Liga title in the 1930s and have three times been victorious in the Copa del Rey, the last of those successes coming in 2022.
Watch the Premier League and UEFA Champions League live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
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