Left for £0: Man City must regret losing “wonderkid” who’s now worth more than Doku – opinion

Manchester City is facing a tough season, but despite the challenges, they still have an abundance of talented attacking players. The club has invested heavily in their offensive options, and many of their key players have stepped up to help the team. Erling Haaland has been particularly impressive, scoring 27 goals in 35 appearances so far this season. Meanwhile, summer signing Savinho has also made a significant impact, contributing nine assists in the same period. These players have helped Manchester City remain competitive despite difficult circumstances.

Jeremy Doku, another key figure in the team’s attack, has also impressed, although he has not been a regular starter this season. Doku joined City from Rennes for £55.5 million and had a solid debut season, contributing 15 goals and assists in 2023/24. This season, Doku has continued to show his value, scoring six goals and providing seven assists in 23 appearances. Although injury has kept him out at times and he has been an unused substitute on six occasions, Doku has still managed to make a significant impact when given the opportunity to play. His 13 goal involvements have come in just 1,177 minutes, equivalent to roughly 13 full matches.

One of Doku’s standout performances this season came in a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest, where he scored and assisted in a crucial victory for City after a rough patch. CIES Football Observatory has even raised Doku’s market value to £76.2 million, which reflects his growing importance to the team. Despite the positive impact Doku has had, there is another former City player whose current value surpasses even that of Doku.

Over the years, Manchester City has made several mistakes in letting go of promising young players from their academy. Some of the most notable examples include Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, and Liam Delap, all of whom are now excelling in the Premier League. However, one of the most regrettable decisions was allowing winger Jamie Gittens to leave the club on a free transfer and join Borussia Dortmund in 2020. Gittens has gone on to become one of the most exciting young talents in European football.

The English winger has been in sensational form for Dortmund, despite the team’s struggles this season. In 34 appearances, Gittens has scored 11 goals and provided four assists. He started the campaign strongly, scoring both goals in a 2-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt. Gittens’ statistics for the 2024/25 season highlight his exceptional ability on the ball. He averages 4.37 successful take-ons per game, which places him in the top 1% of players in this category, and he also records 0.6 goal-creating actions per match, ranking in the top 17%.

Gittens’ impressive performances have not gone unnoticed, and Dortmund now values him highly. According to reports, the German club would demand £85 million for Gittens in a potential summer transfer. This is a significant increase in value compared to the £0 City received when they allowed him to leave for free. The fact that Gittens’ current value exceeds that of Doku is a painful reminder for Manchester City of the mistake they made in letting him go.

Had City kept hold of Gittens, they could now be in a position to either make a massive profit or have an exciting young talent in their squad. Gittens’ progress since leaving City for Dortmund shows that he has the potential to become one of the best players in Europe, and his development could have greatly benefited City if they had chosen to retain him.

City’s decision to let Gittens go for nothing is even more frustrating when considering his success in comparison to other young players the club has sold. For example, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, and Liam Delap are all doing well in the Premier League. These departures have left fans wondering what could have been if City had been more patient with their academy products.

The rise of Gittens at Dortmund, especially his strong performances in the Bundesliga this season, has raised questions about Manchester City’s strategy when it comes to managing their young players. Although City has a stellar first team, their reluctance to hold on to emerging talents has led to missed opportunities. Gittens is just one example of a player who could have contributed significantly to City’s squad, both on the pitch and financially.

As the transfer market continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether City will learn from their past mistakes and take a more proactive approach to retaining their young stars. With the increasing value of players like Gittens, it is clear that there is potential for huge financial gain if the club can identify and nurture future talent more effectively.

In the case of Gittens, the story serves as a painful reminder of what could have been. A player who left for nothing now stands on the brink of being worth more than the £55.5 million that City spent on Doku. While Doku has undoubtedly been an important player for City, Gittens’ rise at Dortmund highlights the importance of making the right decisions when it comes to developing and holding on to young players.

In conclusion, Manchester City must look back on the loss of Jamie Gittens with regret, as the young winger’s rapid rise at Borussia Dortmund has shown that he could have been a key figure in their squad. As City continues to invest heavily in their first-team players, they must also recognize the value of nurturing their academy talents and making smarter decisions regarding player retention. Gittens’ success serves as a reminder that, in football, sometimes the best talent is already in your own backyard, and letting it slip away can come at a high cost.