Rio Ferdinand wowed by Man City star who is a ‘nightmare’ to play against – it’s not Erling Haaland
Manchester City are breathing down Arsenal’s neck in the Premier League title race as we enter the November international break.
Man City’s 3-0 win over Liverpool on Sunday (November 9) moved them four points behind the leaders after Arsenal drew against Sunderland.
A fascinating battle is therefore building between Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola in the race for silverware, with goal machine Erling Haaland poised to have a huge say on where the title ends up.
Haaland’s header against Liverpool was his 19th goal of the season in all competitions, with the Norwegian hitting his best form since moving to the Etihad Stadium.
But it isn’t just the 25-year-old making the headlines at Man City, as one of his teammates is beginning to live up to his potential.
Rio Ferdinand praises ‘absolute nightmare’ Jeremy Doku
City winger Jeremy Doku has looked electric on the left flank in recent weeks, continuing his stunning form on Sunday.
Doku’s stunning curled finish against Liverpool was a true demonstration of his quality in the final third, something he hasn’t always shown since joining the club.
The 23-year-old proved unstoppable for right-back Conor Bradley and is arguably the Premier League’s best in one-vs-one situations.
| Jeremy Doku’s stats vs Liverpool |
| 74 minutes played |
| 1 goal |
| 3 shots on target |
| 3 key passes |
| 4 fouls drawn |
| 7/8 successful dribbles |
| 11/14 ground duels won |
Combining his trademark shimmy with unrivalled pace and power in short bursts, Rio Ferdinand has labelled the Belgian an ‘absolute nightmare’ to defend against.
“Doku, again, all you’re trying to do, which they’ve done so many times just that you’re trying to get Doku 1v1,” Ferdinand said on his podcast.
“That’s all you want to do is get the team over one side of the pitch and as soon as you’ve got a chance to get it at the other side, he’s 1v1 in space with a lot of green grass about, absolute nightmare for the opposition.”
Ferdinand also said how the dribble demon can become a ‘surprise package’ for the opposition and that is by allowing him to move centrally.
“But even in this season, you’ve seen him go central at times. He’s got a bit of freedom because in them areas as well, central areas, it will be an absolute nightmare for a centre midfielder,” he added.
“They don’t see players like him in and around that area a lot. And if you can put him in there every now and again as a surprise package, he’s going to cause damage.”
Doku must continue to improve his goal threat
To truly establish himself in the world-class category, Doku must goal more goals for Man City, according to Daniel Sturridge.
“Sometimes players who are dribblers don’t necessarily know what they’re going to do. But now he’s getting himself into areas where he knows he’s going to go left or right,” Sturridge said on Sky Sports.
“The goal today was magnificent. The only thing he needs to add is more of them.”
As of November 11, 2025, Doku has scored just 17 goals and provided 24 assists in 100 appearances for the Cityzens, with his best individual campaign coming in 2023/24.
The Belgian international plundered six goals and assisted 10 in all competitions, and that is a total he can beat this season.