Manchester City: Doku Injured, Misses Season Opener
Belgian winger Jeremy Doku suffered a calf injury in the Community Shield and will definitely miss the first Premier League match, further complicating matters for new manager Enzo Maresca.
Belgian winger Jeremy Doku suffered a calf injury in the Community Shield and will definitely miss the first Premier League match, further complicating matters for new manager Enzo Maresca.
Manchester City faces serious squad problems ahead of the new Premier League season. Belgian winger Jeremy Doku was injured during the Community Shield match and will definitely miss the league opener against Bournemouth, as reported by Goal.com on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
Doku sustained the injury on Sunday, August 16, 2026, during Manchester City's defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield at the Millennium Stadium. The Belgian international was already replaced by Jack Grealish at halftime, which was the first sign that something was wrong.
According to Nieuwsblad, it is a calf injury that could sideline Doku for several weeks. The exact recovery time is not yet known, but there is growing concern within the club that the issue is not an isolated incident but rather a consequence of the exertions of the FIFA World Cup, where Doku played for Belgium.
The injury comes at the worst possible time for new manager Enzo Maresca, who is preparing for his first competitive league match in charge of Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Without Doku, and potentially without Savinho, the burden on the remaining wingers will be immense.
The squad is already weakened by the departures of Rodri to Barcelona and Tijjani Reijnders to Saudi club Al Qadsiah, with no replacements arriving so far. The situation is further complicated by the expected departure of Savinho, who is linked with a move worth £85 million to Tottenham Hotspur.
Maresca now must quickly find a solution to maintain attacking strength. One option is Antoine Semenyo, the Ghanaian international who struggled on the right wing against Arsenal but looked excellent on the left side during the preseason tour, precisely the position Doku usually occupies.
Semenyo showed his value during the summer, especially with an impressive performance against Atletico Madrid, where he provided a quality assist for Omar Marmoush. Although Jack Grealish remains an option to start on the left wing, his lackluster appearance in the Community Shield has prompted calls for Maresca to give the in-form Semenyo a chance.
Manchester City's medical team will work around the clock to ensure that Doku's calf injury does not become a recurring problem throughout the season. The explosive playing style of the Belgian winger makes him prone to muscle injuries, so the club will be cautious and will not rush him back into the squad.
Fans are divided on whether the current squad can absorb these blows, especially with a new managerial era beginning under Maresca. Expectations at the Etihad remain as high as ever.
