Jeremy Doku has declared he can become one of the world’s best players — but knows scoring more goals is the key to reaching the summit. The Manchester City winger, renowned for his blistering pace and dribbling prowess, has established himself as the Premier League’s most dangerous ball-carrier since arriving from Rennes in 2023 for £55 million ($74m). Yet with just 19 goals in 123 appearances, the Belgian international acknowledges that converting chances is the missing piece in his rise to elite status.
The statistical quest for goalscoring greatness
Doku leads the Premier League in both attempted and completed dribbles, a testament to his one-on-one dominance. But he admits that raw talent isn’t enough. “A winger needs to score,” Doku told The Telegraph. “If I have those goals then I believe that I can get there for sure, 100 per cent.” He pointed out that defenders already struggle to contain him, but adding consistent finishing would change the conversation entirely.
He is working to add “easy goals” — tap-ins and close-range finishes — to his game, recognising that while solo runs dazzle, true impact comes from being in the right place at the right time. Pep Guardiola has previously said he didn’t expect Doku to “ever be a top scorer,” a challenge the 23-year-old is determined to overcome.
Battles with the best and defensive double-teams
Opposition teams are increasingly adapting to neutralise Doku, often assigning two defenders to mark him. That was evident in Manchester City’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid, where his movement was closely tracked. Even players like Trent Alexander-Arnold have been seen studying his signature shoulder drops, a sign of the respect he commands.
“I saw that video - it was a good battle against him,” Doku said. “I like to play against him. You see when I play now, there’s most of the time two defenders on me, which is not a problem because that means another player is free. But I know one versus one, obviously that’s my biggest quality. I’m not going to hide behind it. That’s my talent.”
Proving his worth on the big stage
Doku’s impact was crucial in the FA Cup semi-final against Southampton, where he came off the bench to shift the momentum. His persistence paid off with a deflected equaliser, before he set up Nico Gonzalez for the winner. The performance drew praise from high-profile figures, including Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who described him as “unstoppable” over short distances.
Yet Doku remains grounded. “I appreciate those compliments, but I don’t try to use that as my fuel, my drive,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s me, it’s my responsibility to be consistent, to be always unstoppable, to be always difficult to retain and to be always reliable as a player for my team.”