It has been revealed that Jeremy Doku sustained a calf injury as Manchester City fell to a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the FA Community Shield. Belgian publication Nieuwsblad reports that Doku will miss Manchester City’s first Premier League fixture of the 2026-27 season against Bournemouth due to the injury he sustained. It is also expected that Doku will face a delayed start to the new season. Enzo Maresca will have to find a solution to the issue that Doku’s absence creates against Bournemouth. However, the solution does seem obvious.
Antoine Semenyo starting on the left wing with Rayan Cherki on the right should cover Doku’s absence against Bournemouth.
If Jeremy Doku were fully fit, it would be expected that he’d start on the left wing for Manchester City against Bournemouth. Antoine Semenyo would likely start on the right. With Doku ruled out of the match, it would be expected that Semenyo would move over to the left wing. That would open up a spot on the right wing.
Looking at the options that Enzo Maresca can use on the right wing against Bournemouth, Rayan Cherki is the clear standout. Cherki played on the right wing last season and he drifts out there when playing through the middle. Enzo Maresca’s side relies on creativity from out wide to create chances. Cherki is by far and away the obvious player to slot in on the right wing to allow Semenyo to play on the left wing to cater for Jeremy Doku’s absence against Bournemouth. In fact, it is such an obvious solution to the issue Maresca faces with Jeremy Doku injured that it would be a major surprise if he went in another direction.
There is potentially another option for Manchester City to use on the wing against Bournemouth, but it seems unlikely to be used.
One option that Maresca may consider is playing Rayan Ait-Nouri on the left wing with Semenyo on the right. Ait-Nouri did play on the left wing throughout Manchester City’s preseason tour of Asia and he did score two goals. So that idea could be in play. Savinho is unlikely to feature due to illness and his desire for a summer transfer. At this point, he is likely not an option for Enzo Maresca to consider. It would be a shock if Jack Grealish started against Bournemouth.
However, having considered the possibility of Rayan Ait-Nouri starting on the left wing, that option wouldn’t offer the threat of Rayan Cherki on the right wing and Semenyo on the left. The solution to Doku’s absence through injury this weekend seems obvious. It will be interesting to see if Maresca chooses that option or has another up his sleeve with the squad he has available for Manchester City’s opening Premier League fixture against Bournemouth.
Yes Adam it does make sense which is why Maresca will not do it
Give him a chance. He’s only managed 3 friendlies and the Community Shield, which is basically a friendly anyway. See what squad looks like after the transfer window then we can judge.
We shall see Adam and there are 2 weeks left to see where we will be but one cannot help but feel a little uncomfortable.
When he walks out on Sunday would he get the same greeting from the fans as Sir Vincent would? The roof of the new stand would get blown off for Vinny who I would not bet will be replacing him sooner or later
Vinny wasn’t available, he signed a contract extension with Bayern half way through last season.
I have no doubt one day Vinny will take over as City manager. That option will always be there for him I feel.
But, we have to give Maresca a chance. He’s taking over from the greatest manager we’ve ever had, and the greatest manager of all time in my opinion. That is no easy task.
I’m not saying you specifically are doing it, but in general I get the sense people are looking at what we’re doing through the prism of how we operated under Pep. That era is over.
I also fully believe come the end of the transfer window we’ll be in a good position in terms of the squad. We wouldn’t be selling so many players who ultimately aren’t up to the level we require without plans in place. If we don’t then, I would understand the angst and share in it myself.
I am fully on board with your final sentence and hope we hear some “real” news in the next 13 days. Let us see what happens as well on Sunday and what he does about the partner for Anderson and hope he goes with your preference ie Gonzalez and not Kovacic
I think it will be Nico O’Reilly and Anderson in midfield personally with Foden as a ten, and Cherki on the right. That’s my hope anyway.