Key Takeaways
- Jérémy Doku says five easy tap-ins a season would make him the world’s best winger.
- The Belgian has only four goals in 40 games this season, far behind Vinícius Júnior’s 18.
- Doku hopes to fire Manchester City past Southampton and into a fourth straight FA Cup final.
Jérémy Doku knows exactly what is missing from his frightening pace and dribbles: simple goals.
The 23-year-old Belgian terrorises full-backs for Manchester City, but he still rates himself below Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior because his own tally is only four in 40 matches. Vinícius has 18 in 48.
“If I add tap-ins, the debate changes,” Doku told reporters ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Southampton at Wembley. “I don’t need screamers every week. Five tap-ins would push me to the top, 100 per cent.”
Arne Slot called the winger “unstoppable” after he helped destroy Liverpool 4-0 in the last round, yet Doku insists he must live in the six-yard box more often.
“Assists are fine – I have 11 this season – but wingers must score. I grew up as a number nine, so I know the spots. Now I have to be there.”
Defenders are learning the hard way. Arsenal’s Cristhian Mosquera fouled him repeatedly in City’s 2-1 league win last weekend and was booked. Trent Alexander-Arnold even mimicked Doku’s hip-swerving style during their Champions League clash in March.
“One-v-one is my playground,” Doku smiled. “When two players mark me, a team-mate is free. That helps us win trophies.”
He already has a Carabao Cup medal from March and wants the FA Cup to join his Premier League title. City lost the previous two finals to Crystal Palace and Manchester United.
“Those defeats stay in your head, but they push you. We can still land a domestic treble. That’s our focus.”
