Manchester City have announced a new signing with Jeremy Doku moving to the Etihad Stadium for a £55.5m fee. It shouldn’t be long before we see the 21 year old in City colours. Below, we’ll look at the possible dates for Jeremy Doku’s Man City debut.
Doku becomes the clubs’ third summer signing after Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic. He’s unlikely to be the last with Man City hoping to add at least one other midfielder to their ranks and Pep Guardiola is likely to have a range of new options by the time the transfer window shuts.
The Belgian could line up on either flank for City or be used behind striker Erling Haaland. Despite the significant transfer fee, he will clearly face a battle to break into the starting line up with the defending English and European champions strong in all of those areas but Doku has had a full pre-season and has already featured twice in Ligue 1 for Rennes so should arrive fresh and ready to go.
Jeremy Doku Man City debut – Possible Dates
With this transfer complete and Jeremy Doku already training with Man City, we shouldn’t have to wait long for his debut. There’s no reason why the player won’t be ready from the off with a place in the matchday squad this weekend a real possibility for the 21 year old.
An immediate starting role is highly unlikely though so Doku’s debut will most likely come off the bench. When and where that comes will depend on Pep Guardiola and the game situation at the time. Ideally, the City boss may like to introduce Doku into a match where his team are already comfortably ahead.
However, this is a player who made his professional debut for Anderlecht at the age of just 16 and has already competed at a World Cup for Belgium. Doku has made more than 100 appearances in senior football so he’s unlikely to be overawed should he make his debut in more challenging circumstances.
These are Manchester City’s upcoming matches, one of which should see Doku make his debut:
- 27th August – Sheffield United vs Man City
- 2nd September – Man City vs Fulham
- 16th September – West Ham vs Man City
- 19th/20th September – Champions League group stage match
On paper, City have two very winnable fixtures prior to the international break as they look to extend their 100% start to the new Premier League season. They travel to Sheffield United on Sunday and every indication is that Doku could potentially make his debut in the Second Half of that game.
Jeremy Doku should be available for #ManCity vs Sheffield United on Sunday.
[@FPL__Raptor] pic.twitter.com/fCmHjRh5K8
— City HQ (@City_HQs) August 24, 2023
If that doesn’t happen, a home clash with Fulham on Saturday 2nd September is an alternative potential debut for the Belgian. It’s likely that Pep Guardiola will be keen to give the 21 year old some minutes prior to the international break, although he may need to wait a while for a first start.
Doku’s European debut may come in the week of the 18th September when Man City will begin their Champions League defence with a group stage fixture. The youngster has already played in all three European competitions, making 6 Champions League appearances for Rennes in the 2020/21 season.
