Doku's Calf Injury Sidelines Man City Star for Opener

Jeremy Doku has suffered a calf injury, casting a shadow over Manchester City's start to the 2026-27 season. The Belgian player sustained the injury during the recent FA Community Shield match against Arsenal, which City lost 3-0.

Nieuwsblad reports that Doku is expected to miss Manchester City's opening Premier League fixture against Bournemouth. This setback is also anticipated to cause a delayed commencement for his new season.

Manager Enzo Maresca faces a tactical challenge in compensating for Doku's absence. Antoine Semenyo is projected to shift to the left wing, potentially making way for Rayan Cherki on the right. Cherki's previous performance and positioning make him the most logical choice to maintain the team's creative output from wide areas.

While alternative strategies exist, such as deploying Rayan Ait-Nouri, they appear less likely to be utilized. Savinho is unavailable due to illness and transfer considerations, and Jack Grealish is also unlikely to start. Cherki's inclusion is seen as the most direct solution to address Doku's injury-induced unavailability for the Bournemouth match.