Man City land €60m star Mbappe loves and Klopp sees as the next Mane

Robin Bairner

Updated: 24 Aug 2023 19:58 BST
4 min read

Jurgen Klopp, Kylian Mbappe, Man City — © ProShots

Manchester City have splashed out €60 million on Rennes winger Jeremy Doku, a player who has had a ringing endorsement of his talents from the likes of PSG star Kylian Mbappe and Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.

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Pep Guardiola’s side have confirmed the signing of the 21-year-old for a fee that will represent a club-record sale for the Ligue 1 team.

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The Cityzen had begun talks at the beginning of August in search of a replacement for Riyad Mahrez, who is now playing for Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League. After some lengthy negotiations, the treble winners have finally got their man.

But what type of player is Doku?

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Klopp and Mbappe on Doku

According to Liverpool boss Klopp, one who could potentially enjoy a similar impact to Sadio Mane.

Doku's father, David, told Het Nieuwsblad how highly the Reds boss rated the young Doku during a visit to Liverpool’s training ground.

“Jurgen Klopp explained how he saw a potential successor to Sadio Mane in Jeremy,” Doku senior explained.

This claim was subsequently echoed by former Rennes head coach Julien Stephan.

“I don’t like making comparisons, but he reminds me of the case of Sadio Mane at Metz, where he scored just two goals,” he said in February 2021. “He’s only 18 and we want him to be ultra-decisive now. If he was, he wouldn’t be at Rennes.

“He’s a worker and someone seeking to make himself better. He has room for improvement and we all see him working to improve.”

Mbappe’s endorsement of the player is equally positive.

“Recently, I was speaking with my father about a player who impressed me because of his speed qualities, that is Jeremy Doku, at Rennes,” the PSG star told France Football in 2021.

“In five years as a professional, I have never seen someone from a standing start demonstrate so much power.”

Hazard a role model

Doku, who has a build a little like Adama Traore, models his game more on Eden Hazard.

“He’s a great player and I hope to work with him on my finishing, which is exactly the point I need to improve,” he told the press before analysing how his game has developed in Rennes.

“Before I went there, I was mostly a dribbler, waiting for the ball to my feet on the left wing. This year, my game has become more complete, I can do more things. I’m better on the right, notably, and I’ve improved by volume of play and my positioning.”

Rennes previously said they would consider a bid of around €100m, so Man City will feel like they have got him for a bargain at €60m – particularly if he can live up to his billing.