After the emphatic nature of Manchester City’s 5-2 thrashing of Juventus, their domestic rivals would have felt that they are prepared to challenge on multiple fronts again next season.
With Pep Guardiola intending to help City return to the top as well as Pep Lijnders, Kolo Toure and James French becoming a part of his backroom staff, there seems to be a renewed energy about the club that had seemed missing for months.
Phil Foden seems bubbly behind the scenes as the players look like they are up for the challenge of helping the Sky Blues reclaim their status as arguably the best team in the world.
Foden’s teammates like Jeremy Doku and Savinho have impressed during the FIFA Club World Cup and perhaps in the 2025/2026 season, they could have campaigns to remember.
Jeremy Doku celebrates goal vs Juventus with Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri.
Photo by Hector Vivas – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Jeremy Doku could rise to the top like Vinicius Jr next season
It seems like Pep Lijnders’ introduction has helped Doku as he is starting to make frequent runs in behind and score goals, two crucial facets of any winger’s game that he was yet to master previously.
However, the Belgian has possibly been Manchester City’s best player at the Club World Cup and much like Vinicius Jr, who was far from the finished product at Real Madrid initially before fulfilling his potential, he could have a similar rise.
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Vinicius’ goal involvements in La Liga during his first three seasons at Real Madrid indicate his struggles, much like Doku, who is yet to become a world-class player in the final third as well.
LA LIGA STATS 2018/2019 SEASON 2019/2020 2020/2021
GOALS 2 3 3
ASSISTS 0 1 3
However, in the 2021/2022 campaign, the Brazilian announced himself to the world as a superstar, amassing 17 goals and 10 assists in the league while scoring in the Champions League final against Liverpool.
Similarly, Doku is yet to register either 10 goals or assists in the Premier League yet but ahead of next season, he is showing a sense of hunger to become much more productive; darting behind defences, such as for his goal against Juventus and testing the goalkeeper by taking more shots.
Doku praised Rayan Ait-Nouri, a player who could be crucial for how he fares during the 2025/2026 campaign as the Algerian is allowing him to be stationed closer to goal as he hugs the touchline, with Pep Guardiola deploying the former Rennes winger as an inside forward against the Italian side.
⚽️ 𝗔𝗜̈𝗧-𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗜 🇩🇿 𝗦’𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗘́𝗝𝗔̀ 𝗔̀ 𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬 !! 🩵
𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗘́ 𝗣𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗟𝗘 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗕𝗘 𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗜̂𝗡𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗗𝗘 𝗝𝗘́𝗥𝗘́𝗠𝗬 𝗗𝗢𝗞𝗨 🇧🇪. 🤤
Sublime.
📽️ @DAZN_FR pic.twitter.com/xmxVKquaXs
— Actu Foot (@ActuFoot_) June 26, 2025
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With Doku and Ait-Nouri already forming a dangerous partnership, as was evidenced for his strike against Juventus in particular, his game is becoming far more unpredictable for defenders as the 23-year-old is constantly interchanging positions with the former Wolves defender.
Vinicius’ personal development coupled with his tremendous partnership with Karim Benzema led to his rise as well and all signs suggest that Manchester City could have a megastar on their hands like the former Flamengo speedster.
Man City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders could help Jeremy Doku become a superstar
Apart from Ait-Nouri, even Tijjani Reijnders could help Doku massively as the timing of the Dutchman’s late runs into the box or in behind defences could lead to the City attacker getting more assists as well.
Last season, Manchester City lacked runners and while the Belgian could improve his final ball, a lack of options to pass to did not help his case either.
If Doku does manage to morph into a match-winner like Vinicius, Manchester City should back themselves to torment any defence in the world as he is already an elite dribbler and virtually every full-back’s nightmare.