Manchester City head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Jeremy Doku will miss Sunday’s Premier League opener against Bournemouth, handing the champions a fitness blow before the start of their new campaign.
The Belgian winger featured for the first half of City’s Community Shield defeat to Arsenal last weekend, but he has not recovered sufficiently to be considered for the clash at the Etihad Stadium.
There is, however, better news elsewhere in the squad.
Midfielder Matheus Nunes is available for selection after missing the Community Shield, leaving Doku as City’s only confirmed absentee ahead of Maresca’s first Premier League match in charge.
“At the moment, the only one [unavailable] is Jeremy Doku,” said Maresca in a press conference with assembled media on Friday.
“Then Matheus [Nunes] is back. Jeremy, but the rest are all okay.”
The Italian will be eager to put the disappointment of last weekend’s Community Shield defeat to Arsenal behind him and get his league campaign off to a winning start.
City will have home advantage, with a strong crowd expected at the Etihad, but Bournemouth arrive with plenty of confidence after producing the best league campaign in their history last season.
The Cherries finished sixth in the Premier League in 2025/26, securing European football in the process.
Bournemouth have since entered a new era of their own following the departure of Andoni Iraola, who left the club for Liverpool.
Marco Rose has now taken over, giving the visitors a fresh tactical identity while retaining many of the aggressive principles that made them difficult to play against last season.
Maresca has already studied Bournemouth under their new manager and believes City know exactly what kind of challenge awaits.
“I watched their pre-season games and watched some games from last season when he [Rose] was at another club,” said Maresca.
“Clear identity, aggressive already were with Andoni [Iraola] and still are aggressive. Clear what they do on and off the ball.”
Doku’s absence could force Maresca to adjust his attacking options for the opening weekend.
The Belgian remains one of City’s most direct players, capable of stretching defences with his pace, dribbling and ability to attack defenders one-on-one.
His absence means other attacking players will have to shoulder more responsibility as City look to break down a Bournemouth side expected to press aggressively.
With Nunes back in the squad, Maresca at least has another midfield option as he prepares for a demanding opening fixture.
For Maresca, the Bournemouth game represents the real beginning.
The Community Shield offered a competitive rehearsal, but the Premier League is where the new City project will ultimately be judged.
A convincing opening-day performance would immediately settle some nerves and give Maresca an early platform to build from.
But Bournemouth’s sixth-place finish last season is a warning that this will not be a routine afternoon.
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