City's Doku Is the Target of Chelsea's Left-Wing Reinforcement Plan

 

Chelsea are already turning their attention to the summer transfer window after clinching Champions League qualification. The Blues surged to a fourth-place finish in the 2024/25 Premier League and topped it off by winning the UEFA Conference League final on 28 May. With the first trophy of the Clearlake Capital era in the bag, manager Enzo Maresca and sporting directors are looking to strengthen the squad ahead of their return to Europe’s elite. In recent days, media reports have singled out Jérémy Doku, the 23-year-old Belgian winger at Manchester City, as a “shock” transfer target for Chelsea. The speculation is gaining traction, but details remain unconfirmed.

Player Background: Belgium’s Young Dribbling Star

Jérémy Doku is a Belgian international known for his electrifying pace and dribbling ability. A product of Anderlecht’s academy, he made his professional breakthrough at French club Rennes in 2020, helping them to European qualification. In August 2023 City splashed a reported €65 million to sign Doku on a five-year deal. He immediately became part of Pep Guardiola’s squad, and by May 2025 had helped City to a Premier League title (2023–24), a Community Shield, and a FIFA Club World Cup. While Doku hasn’t been an undisputed starter at City (often used as a super-sub), he logged dozens of appearances in all competitions and has shown his potential with flashes of brilliance. For Belgium he earned World Cup experience in 2022. Renowned for beating defenders one-on-one, he averaged an astonishing 6.4 successful dribbles per 90 minutes last season, making him one of Europe’s most exciting young attackers.
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto close down Manchester City’s Jérémy Doku during a Premier League match. The Belgian winger’s pace and skill have reportedly put him on Chelsea’s radar this summer.

Chelsea’s Season and Squad Needs

This spring has been a breakthrough for Chelsea. After a rocky rebuild under new ownership, Enzo Maresca’s young side found consistency, sealing a Champions League spot by finishing fourth in the Premier League. In Wrocław on 28 May they came from behind to beat Real Betis 4–1 and lift the Conference League trophy – their first silverware under Clearlake Capital. The success underlined Chelsea’s upward trajectory, but it also highlighted areas for improvement. Squad depth and quality, especially in attack, remain concerns. The squad already boasts promising attacking talents (Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku) and emerging full-backs (Malo Gusto, Ian Maatsen), but Chelsea still need to add experience and width.
One pressing issue is the left flank. Mykhailo Mudryk, the club’s big-money signing, was sidelined late in the season due to a ban, leaving that position effectively vacant. On the opposite side, Cole Palmer has shown he can play on the right. As pundit Simon Phillips points out, Mudryk’s uncertainty means “a new left winger is thought to be a priority for the BlueCo bosses.” Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho (who spent 2024/25 on loan at Chelsea) has not convinced enough to force Chelsea’s hand; Chelsea can keep him for €25m or send him back to Manchester United for €5m, but no decision has yet been made. Faced with these dynamics, Chelsea are exploring external options to inject creativity and balance into their attack.

Rumour: Doku on Chelsea’s Radar

In that context, the name of Jérémy Doku has emerged in the past 48 hours. The “surprise” report – first flagged by journalist Simon Phillips – claims Chelsea are “considering Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku as one option for the left wing position this summer.” According to Phillips, this interest is genuine but still in its infancy: “it is just interest and Doku is just one of many players that the club are looking at ahead of a potential move,” he wrote. He emphasized that nothing is advanced: at this stage it’s “just interest and internal discussions.” In other words, Chelsea have not made an official bid or agreed terms, but Doku is on their shortlist.
The report portrays the move as a bit of a blockbuster given Doku’s profile. Both Football365 and OneFootball picked up the story, noting the contrast between Chelsea’s need and Doku’s availability. Doku’s pace and City pedigree make him an eye-catching target – Chelsea have indeed lured other City players in the past (Cole Palmer, Raheem Sterling) – but convincing Manchester City to sell one of their young stars would be a challenge. For now it remains a rumour; Chelsea have dozens of transfer irons in the fire, but the Doku story has caught the public’s attention as one of the first big names linked to the Blues in this window.

Club and Player Motivations

Why would Chelsea pursue Doku, and why might Doku consider a move? From Chelsea’s standpoint, the appeal is clear: Doku is a proven young talent who fills a direct need. He is left-footed but excels on the left wing, offering the dynamism and unpredictability that Maresca’s team has sometimes lacked. His ability to beat defenders one-on-one would fit a system that likes to press high and transition quickly. With Mudryk’s situation unresolved and Sancho’s loan expiring, Chelsea risked having a shortage of experienced wide attackers. Adding Doku would not only boost the left flank but also add competition for places, pushing existing players to raise their game. As a generation-2023 signing, he would align with the owners’ preference for younger signings over costly veterans.
From Doku’s perspective, a move could offer a new challenge and more guaranteed playing time. At Manchester City he has been rotated and has faced fierce competition (City also have Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez, Julián Álvarez, etc.). Chelsea could promise him a leading role in a fresh project. If he believes Chelsea’s upward momentum (Champions League football plus a trophy) could help his development, it might tempt him. Moreover, linking up with a former City teammate like Mateo Kovačić might smooth the transition. There has been no public comment from Doku or City on these rumours; Pep Guardiola generally deflected transfer questions, and City insiders have not acknowledged any formal offers.

Financial Considerations

Any deal for Doku would involve significant money. Two years ago Manchester City paid €65m to secure him, so his valuation remains high. Transfermarkt currently lists his value around €55m (March 2025). Chelsea would likely have to spend in that range, plus hefty wages for a player of his caliber. It is conceivable that Chelsea might look at creative structures (loans, sell-ons, add-ons) to mitigate the upfront cost, given strict financial rules they still face. However, with Champions League revenue on the horizon, the club has more budget flexibility than last summer. No concrete numbers have leaked, but sources emphasize that Doku is just “one of many players” on Chelsea’s radar, so the club is not pinning its hopes on a single big-money move.