Jeremy Doku has reportedly sent a strong message to Iliman Ndiaye, insisting that the Manchester City forward must improve his performances and step up his game before he can expect to start playing regularly for the club.
The Belgian winger is believed to have stressed the importance of consistency, hard work and taking opportunities when they arrive, suggesting that talent alone is not enough to guarantee a regular place in Enzo Maresca’s starting lineup.
The reported comments have sparked discussions among Manchester City supporters, particularly because Ndiaye arrived at the club with expectations of becoming an important part of the team’s attacking plans. However, competition for places at the Etihad Stadium remains intense, with several attacking players fighting to convince Maresca that they deserve regular minutes.
Doku, who has established himself as one of City’s most dangerous players in one-on-one situations, understands the demands of playing for a club that expects to compete for major trophies every season. According to the proposed storyline, he believes Ndiaye must demonstrate greater consistency in training and matches before he can become a regular starter.
The message is particularly significant because both players possess qualities that can help Manchester City unlock difficult defences. Doku’s explosive pace, dribbling ability and willingness to attack defenders make him a valuable option on the wing, while Ndiaye’s technical ability, movement and versatility could provide City with another attacking dimension.
Nevertheless, Doku’s reported position is that every player must earn their place through performances rather than reputation.
Doku Believes Ndiaye Must Prove Himself
According to the reported storyline, Doku believes Ndiaye has the potential to become an important player for Manchester City but must demonstrate that he can consistently perform at the level required by the club.
At Manchester City, attacking players are expected to contribute more than occasional moments of brilliance. They must make intelligent decisions in possession, create opportunities for teammates, maintain the team’s attacking structure and work hard when the opposition has the ball.
For a forward hoping to establish himself in Maresca’s starting eleven, those responsibilities are particularly important.
Doku has experienced the pressure of competing against talented players for a starting position. Even with his ability to beat defenders and create chances from seemingly impossible situations, he must continue delivering performances that justify his selection.
That experience could explain why the Belgian winger would emphasise the importance of consistency if the reported comments accurately reflect his views.
Ndiaye, meanwhile, will need to make the most of every opportunity he receives. Whether he starts a match or comes off the bench, his performances could influence how frequently the manager selects him in subsequent fixtures.
A strong substitute appearance can change a player’s situation, just as an ineffective performance can make it more difficult to secure another start.
For that reason, Ndiaye cannot afford to approach limited playing time as an obstacle without also viewing it as an opportunity to demonstrate his quality.
Competition for Places Is Becoming More Intense
Manchester City’s attacking department is filled with players who want to influence matches and contribute to the club’s ambitions.
That competition creates a difficult environment for anyone hoping to establish themselves as a regular starter. Even talented footballers can find themselves on the bench when the manager believes another player offers greater tactical advantages for a particular opponent.
Maresca must consider several factors when selecting his attacking players, including their form, fitness, tactical discipline and ability to execute his game plan.
A winger who excels in one-on-one situations may be particularly useful against a team that leaves space behind its full-backs. Against a compact defensive side, however, the manager might prefer a player who combines effectively in tight spaces or makes intelligent movements between the lines.
This means Ndiaye must demonstrate that he can adapt to different situations rather than relying on one particular strength.
If he wants to become a regular member of the starting lineup, he will need to show that he can contribute regardless of the opponent or the circumstances of a match.
Doku’s own qualities provide an example of the level of competition Ndiaye must navigate. The Belgian’s direct approach allows him to stretch defences, create space for teammates and force opposing defenders into difficult decisions.
For Ndiaye to compete successfully for minutes, he must identify the areas in which he can offer something different while improving the consistency of his overall performances.
Enzo Maresca Will Have the Final Decision
Although Doku’s reported comments have attracted attention, the ultimate decision over Ndiaye’s playing time belongs to Maresca.
The Manchester City manager must decide which players best fit his tactical approach and which combinations give the team the greatest chance of winning matches.
Individual ability remains important, but it is only one part of the selection process.
Managers also look at how players follow tactical instructions, press opponents, maintain their positions and respond when possession is lost. An attacker who scores goals but repeatedly ignores defensive responsibilities may not always be the preferred choice.
Likewise, a forward who works tirelessly without providing enough attacking threat may struggle to secure a regular starting role.
Ndiaye must therefore find the right balance between his attacking responsibilities and the demands of City’s collective approach.
If he can demonstrate consistent improvement in those areas, he could strengthen his case for more opportunities. However, there is no guarantee that better performances would immediately translate into a permanent starting position, given the quality of the players competing for selection.
The manager’s tactical priorities and the team’s needs will continue to influence his decisions.
Ndiaye Must Make Every Opportunity Count
For a player trying to establish himself at a major club, limited playing time can be frustrating. However, the response to that situation often determines whether a footballer progresses or falls further down the selection order.
Ndiaye must remain prepared to make an impact whenever he is called upon.
If he enters a match as a substitute, he can demonstrate his value through energetic pressing, intelligent movement, accurate passing and a willingness to take responsibility in attacking situations.
He does not necessarily need to score in every appearance to impress the manager. Sometimes, the ability to maintain possession under pressure, create space for another attacker or help the team control the final stages of a match can be equally valuable.
Nevertheless, attacking players are ultimately judged on their ability to influence games, particularly when they occupy positions close to the opposition’s goal.
Ndiaye will need to combine his technical qualities with greater consistency in the final third if he wants to become a more dependable option.
His attitude in training will also matter. Managers want players who remain focused even when they are not starting regularly, because the demands of a long season require the entire squad to remain ready.
A positive response to competition could help Ndiaye improve his performances and demonstrate that he is prepared to fight for his place.
Doku Understands What It Takes to Succeed at Manchester City
Doku’s reported message also highlights the standards that players at Manchester City are expected to maintain.
The Belgian winger has built his reputation around his ability to take on defenders, accelerate into dangerous spaces and create attacking opportunities through individual skill.
However, modern football demands much more than technical brilliance. Wingers must also make effective decisions, contribute to the team’s pressing structure and recognise when to release the ball rather than attempt another dribble.
These responsibilities are especially important in a team that expects to dominate possession and create repeated attacking opportunities.
Doku’s direct style gives Manchester City an option when opponents defend narrowly, but his performances must still fit into the manager’s overall tactical structure.
That same principle applies to Ndiaye.
He must show that his individual qualities can improve the team rather than simply produce isolated moments of excitement. The more effectively he combines his personal strengths with City’s collective approach, the stronger his argument for regular selection could become.
If the reported comments are accurate, Doku’s message should not necessarily be interpreted as a personal attack on his teammate. It could instead reflect the competitive expectations that exist within a squad where every player wants to be involved in important matches.
Manchester City Supporters Will Expect a Response
Supporters will naturally want to see how Ndiaye responds to the discussion surrounding his position in the squad.
Players often face intense scrutiny when they are unable to establish themselves immediately, particularly at clubs where the competition for places is exceptionally strong.
However, a difficult period does not automatically mean that a player’s future at the club is in doubt.
Ndiaye still has the opportunity to demonstrate his qualities through his performances, provided he receives opportunities to contribute. What matters most is how effectively he uses those opportunities and whether he can convince the coaching staff that he is ready for greater responsibility.
A strong run of performances could change the conversation surrounding his role.
On the other hand, if he struggles to make an impact when selected, competition for attacking positions could make his path towards regular starts more difficult.
That is the reality of playing for a club with major ambitions. Every player must continue improving because the competition does not disappear simply because someone has been patient or worked hard in training.
Final Verdict: Ndiaye Must Earn His Place
The reported comments attributed to Doku have placed the spotlight on Ndiaye’s battle for regular playing time at Manchester City.
The central message is straightforward: potential must be matched by consistent performances, tactical discipline and a willingness to take responsibility when opportunities arrive.
Ndiaye has the opportunity to strengthen his position by improving his contribution in the final third, working effectively within Maresca’s tactical system and showing that he can influence matches consistently.
Doku, meanwhile, must continue delivering his own performances if he wants to maintain his place among the team’s preferred attacking options.
Ultimately, Manchester City cannot afford to select players solely because of their reputations or individual abilities. The manager must choose the footballers who provide the best balance for the team in each match.
For Ndiaye, the challenge is clear: step up, make every opportunity count and give Maresca a compelling reason to trust him with regular starts.