Shaun Wright-Phillips Advises Jeremy Doku on Improving Link-Up with Erling Haaland

Former Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips has issued advice to current star Jeremy Doku, urging the Belgian international to sharpen his delivery to Erling Haaland ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Speaking exclusively to City Xtra, Wright-Phillips praised Doku’s entertainment value but stressed the importance of more timely service to City’s prolific centre-forward.

“I think he needs to get the ball to Haaland a little bit quicker,” Wright-Phillips said. “There are times when [Haaland] makes these runs and the ball doesn’t come — that makes his job a lot harder.”

Doku arrived at Manchester City in 2023 and enjoyed a mixed debut season, contributing 8 goals and 9 assists in all competitions. While his flair and dribbling ability have been widely appreciated, his final-third decision-making remains under the microscope.

With Jack Grealish potentially departing and Rayan Cherki pushing for minutes, Doku’s development will be vital. Guardiola is expected to place greater emphasis on wide players delivering early, accurate service to Haaland — a striker known for thriving on rapid transitions and early passes.

FAQ

• What is the core of Wright-Phillips’ advice? — He wants Doku to provide quicker service to Erling Haaland during attacking phases.
• How did Doku perform last season? — He scored 8 goals and assisted 9 across competitions.
• Why is this connection important? — Haaland’s game is built on quick movement and early crosses — delayed passes reduce his goal-scoring chances.
• Who else is competing for Doku’s position? — Rayan Cherki is emerging as a strong option; Jack Grealish may depart.
• What’s coming up for City? — A pre-season clash with Palermo in Sicily this weekend.

Conclusion

As City prepare for another challenging season, Wright-Phillips’ insights serve as a timely reminder: wide players must do more than entertain — they must execute. For Doku, this season could define his future in Guardiola’s evolving system.