Wales’ national team head coach and former Manchester City winger Craig Bellamy has provided a fantastic analogy highlighting the remarkable qualities of Jeremy Doku this week.
Bellamy’s respect for Doku has been longstanding, predating the Belgian winger’s emergence as one of Manchester City’s most dynamic attacking forces under Pep Guardiola, especially in the current season.
Having closely observed the young forward’s development during his early career at Anderlecht, Bellamy is well-equipped to witness Doku’s transformation from a raw and erratic talent in Belgium to a crucial player in the Premier League champions’ offensive lineup.
Since his move to City from Stade Rennais in the summer of 2023, Doku has captivated fans with his fearless dribbling skills and explosive speed. Pep Guardiola’s squad has effectively utilized the winger’s one-on-one prowess, particularly against well-organized defenses.
The 23-year-old’s advancement has garnered widespread acclaim from former players and coaches, with Bellamy’s latest remarks contributing to the mounting recognition of Doku’s improvement in his finishing and tactical understanding.
In a recent interview with Sky Sports during Wales’ FIFA World Cup qualifying clash against Belgium, Bellamy was eager to commend the exceptional skills of Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku.
“Jeremy is incredible! I was extremely fortunate to work with him,” the Welshman stated, reminiscing about their time together at RSC Anderlecht where he collaborated with Vincent Kompany on the coaching staff.
Continuing his praise for Doku, Bellamy stated, “He can leave you guessing in any confined space; I’ve rarely seen a player with such ability at such a young age.”
“The only thing he needed to work on was the final ball, and he has certainly improved in that area – we always believed he would, it was just a matter of time.”
Bellamy’s comments resonate with what many within City’s organization have felt since Doku joined the team; his potential is seen as exceedingly high, positioning him as one of Guardiola’s most thrilling long-term attacking assets capable of transforming the team’s approach to wing play.
Looking forward, Doku is anticipated to shoulder even more responsibility this season, especially as Pep Guardiola rotates his attacking lineup amid a busy schedule.
With players like Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden taking on various roles, Doku’s unpredictability and speed could make him a pivotal player for unlocking stubborn defenses both domestically and in European competitions.
His growth is also reflective of Manchester City’s broader recruitment strategy, which has increasingly prioritized technical skill and positional flexibility, as demonstrated by the acquisitions of other young talents like Claudio Echeverri and Cherki.