In the upcoming weeks of the summer transfer window, Manchester City’s prime focus will be on determining which players to keep ahead of the start of next season.
Manchester City have 17 non-homegrown players, which is the maximum figure a Premier League club are permitted to have at their disposal — which means the Sky Blues will have to decide their potential outgoings if they aim to add more fresh faces to their squad.
However, Pep Guardiola and Co will have to be careful in their decision-making as letting go of some of their key assets could mean City endure yet another disappointing season.
Players like Belgian international Jeremy Doku, for instance is yet to set world-class standards but during the 2025/2026 campaign, he could play his best football after standing out during the FIFA Club World Cup.
Similarly, Ederson Moraes admitted he was disappointing last season and hopes to return to his best.
Man City should keep Jeremy Doku at all costs
However, Doku is apparently “unsettled” at Manchester City and “wants to go to Spain” — as per Steve Kay.
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However, with Doku showing major signs of improvement in the United States, Manchester City could regret entertaining the idea of letting him leave this summer.
Jeremy Doku smiles following Manchester City's win over Juventus.
Photo by Elsa – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
During the Club World Cup, the 23-year-old seemed to have taken strides forward in terms of his effectiveness and as an outlet, which explains why he scored two goals in three starts during the competition.
Doku’s ability to leave defenders for dead and take the game by the scruff of the neck has never been in doubt but where the Manchester City winger has had plenty of room for improvement is in terms of being efficient in the final third and running in behind defences.
However, as Doku praised Rayan Ait-Nouri whom he has already formed a dangerous partnership with, the Algerian’s presence has helped him in four ways in particular.
Ait-Nouri helps Doku play in closer proximity to goal
The former Wolves defender finds him in threatening zones across the final third
Ait-Nouri makes runs beyond him
He is the only natural attacking left-back Doku has played with at City
£55.5 million man Doku looks far more unpredictable than before, with Ait-Nouri distracting opposition defenders, allowing the Premier League champion to play closer to goal and finding him in threatening zones.
With the Saudi Pro League targeting Jack Grealish and Manchester City ready to offload him, selling Doku would be a huge risk as he would be the only natural left-winger on their books.
Jeremy Doku has unintentionally provided a hint about his future
Based on his displays at the Club World Cup, surely Pep Guardiola is curious to discover how the Belgian fares next season.
Doku has been helping Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, Ait-Nouri and Marcus Bettinelli settle in behind the scenes, which suggests that he sees his future at Manchester City.
If the former Rennes speedster evolves as a player and a leader by the time next season starts, City could have a potential superstar on their hands.