Even by Bayern Munich’s standards, wrapping up men’s and women’s Bundesliga titles with a week remaining in April is impressive.
The women’s football team sealed their fifth title in the last six seasons with a 3-2 win at Union Berlin on Wednesday, having won 21 and drawn one of their 22 league games so far. Later that evening, the men reached the German Cup final with a 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen having made it 12 out of 13 Bundesliga titles a few days before that.
“It was a really great evening that leaves us wanting more,” said women’s captain Giulia Gwinn after scoring the goal that sealed the title. “I think we’ve seen throughout the season that we’ve really left our mark on every game in a dominant way. That speaks volumes about our team and the hard work we’ve put in this year.”
With both sides in the final of the German Cup and semifinals of the Champions League, the prospect of an unprecedented ‘double treble’ is alive. The club’s sporting director Max Eberl described this as “extraordinary,” adding that such success is driven by a togetherness at the club.
Pulling in the same direction
“I’m in constant contact with Bianca Rech [director of the women’s side], which is just great and shows how strong FC Bayern is. … The fact that the treble is possible for both of us is fun and exciting.”
“My family has been watching women’s football for a long time; we always watched the women’s games when we were in Manchester too,” when he played for Manchester City. “We’ve also been to Bayern women’s matches three or four times here. It’s fun to watch,” he said.
Bayern Munich men have already broken the record for goals scored in a Bundesliga seasonImage: Robin Rudel/Sportfoto Rudel/IMAGO
While the German Cup is not a given, especially considering Bayern’s women won it for only the second time last season and the men have lifted it just twice in the last decade, it is the Champions League that could elevate this season to unprecedented heights. Though Chelsea’s men and women reached both finals in 2020-21 season, no side has ever won Europe’s most prestigious prize in both categories the same season.
Catching up to do in Europe
Despite Bayern’s impressive campaigns so far, European success remains an uphill battle, particularly for the women. Jose Barcala’s team face Barcelona at the Allianz Arena on April 25 and in Spain on May 3. Though they lost to Arsenal in the final last season, Barca have won three of the last five titles and beat Bayern 7-1 in the league stage of this year’s competition.
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“Barcelona were always a step ahead of us in certain areas back then, especially in terms of mental toughness and speed of execution,” forward Klara Bühl told Mediengruppe Bayern. “The important thing is that we learned from it and now know what to expect. That’s why it will be easier for us in the next two games.”
That the match is at the Allianz Arena is significant. The women’s Bundesliga has fallen off the pace over the last decade, with attendances in Germany lagging behind Spain and England, where teams more regularly play at the larger stadiums traditionally occupied by the men. Bayern announced on Monday that 20,000 tickets had been sold for the first leg on Saturday and Bayern’s veteran Swedish defender Magdalena Eriksson said that could be key.
“Champions League nights at the Allianz Arena always have a very special atmosphere — and for many days now, the anticipation has been huge for everyone,” said Eriksson, who played for Chelsea in the 2021 final. “We face a huge challenge against Barcelona, but we also know the energy that comes from the stands and how important that support will be.”
Bayern leaving domestic rivals behind
Bayern’s women have never won the Champions League, with the club having historically underinvested in its women’s team. Though there is still a way to go, that is starting to change, with ominous impacts for the rest of Germany’s women’s clubs. Wolfsburg, the league’s traditional force, have declined of late, while relegation fears for the men’s side potentially mean further budget cuts for the women, too.
Alexandra Popp, Germany’s most recognizable female footballer of recent times, has called on men’s sides to do more. “We have a few clubs in the second division, in the first division. You get the feeling from them that, yeah, they have founded a women’s department. They do a little bit but they could do much more, and they should have professionalized it faster,” she said recently.
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Alexandra Popp has critiized a lack of investment in the women’s game in GermanyImage: Ralf Brueck/Jan Huebner/IMAGO
Popp will move from Wolfsburg to Borussia Dortmund, whose recently-established women’s team are moving up the divisions, after the cup final against Bayern on May 14.
While they are on a different plane to the rest of the men’s Bundesliga, Bayern Munich have had to think a little smarter to compete on the European stage of late. They last won the competition in the COVID-affected 2019-20 campaign with no fans in attendance.
But Kompany’s impact, and the attacking talents of Harry Kane, Michael Olise, Luiz Diaz and Jamal Musiala make them a real threat this time around.
Their semifinal is against Paris Saint-Germain, the holders, and the winner is likely to go in to the final in Budapest against Arsenal or Atletico Madrid on May 30 as favorites. By the time that game takes place, they will know whether they can make football history or simply pick up another trophy.
Chicago White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami and shortstop Colson Montgomery homered their way into Major League Baseball history on Wednesday night.
Murakami and Montgomery both homered in the White Sox’s 11-7 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, becoming the first set of teammates to each homer in four consecutive games for in MLB history.
Murakami made additional history, as it was the fifth straight game he had homered in, tying Major League Baseball’s rookie record. He also tied the White Sox’s team record for most consecutive games to homer in.
Chicago White Sox’s Munetaka Murakami celebrates his two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 22, 2026.(Ross D. Franklin/AP Photo)
Montgomery was the first of the two White Sox sluggers to go yard, as he blasted Diamondbacks starter Eduardo Rodriguez’s 88 mph cutter 423 feet into the left-field seats to cut the Diamondbacks’ lead to 6-4.
The Japanese rookie followed Montgomery’s lead when he demolished Diamondbacks relief pitcher Ryan Thompson’s 91 mph fastball 451 feet over the center-field wall to cut the lead to 10-7 in the top of the seventh inning.
The rookie, in just 24 games, has already managed to make his manager speechless.
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“I’ve run out of things to say,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. “Obviously, he continues to put himself in a really good spot to take good swings on good pitches. He’s making great swing decisions, making a ton of contact and when he hits it, he hits it really hard.”
“Even the singles he’s hitting are hard. The damage is incredible and it’s impressive to watch.”
Colson Montgomery of the Chicago White Sox hits an RBI fielder’s choice against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 22, 2026.(Rick Scuteri/Imagn Images)
Murakami joined A.J. Pierzynski (2012), Paul Konerko (2011), Carlos Lee (2003), Frank Thomas (twice in 1994), Ron Kittle (1983) and Greg Luzinski (1983) as White Sox hitters who have homered five straight games. He also became the 13th rookie in big-league history to go deep in five straight, according to MLB.com.
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Murakami has done most of his damage on the road, hitting eight of his 10 overall homers on the year in opposing ballparks. His 10 home runs are the most in MLB history by a Japanese-born player in his first 24 games.
Murakami is second to only Houston Astros’ Yordan Alvarez (11 home runs) in MLB in home runs.
The White Sox signed Murakami to a two-year, $34 million contract after his successful run in Nippon Professional Baseball, and the early returns have been promising.
Chicago White Sox’s Munetaka Murakami celebrates his two-run home run with third base coach José Leger during the seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 22, 2026.(Ross D. Franklin/AP Photo)
In 24 games, Murakami has a .256 batting average with 10 home runs, 19 RBI, and an astounding 1.026 OPS.
Murakami and Montgomery have been a force atop the White Sox lineup, as in 24 games, Montgomery has just a .218 batting average but has provided some power with seven home runs and 18 RBI.
The dynamic duo will look to keep their home run streaks rolling when the White Sox (9-15) face the Diamondbacks (14-10) in the final game of a three-game set on Thursday at 3:40 p.m. ET.
Millwall have received an apology from Westminster City Council for the “insensitive” use of the club’s official logo to “illustrate the historic problem of racism within football” in a children’s education booklet which was distributed in schools.
Images shared widely on social media from the booklet show the badge of the Championship club printed on the clothing of a member of a white supremacist hate group.
On Thursday afternoon, Westminster City Council issued a statement confirming the booklet had been removed from circulation, with internal processes being reviewed.
A Westminster City Council spokesperson said: “We accept the use of this image was an insensitive way to illustrate the historic problem of racism within football.
“We have apologised to Millwall Football Club for the improper use of their logo and for any offence caused.
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“The booklet has been removed from circulation, and we are reviewing processes to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”
According to the club’s official supporters’ group, Millwall are still considering their legal position on the matter.
The Lions are currently third in the Championship table as Alex Neil’s side chase automatic promotion to the Premier League.
The Philadelphia Flyers took a pretty handy 5-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Wednesday night’s Game 3 to take a commanding 3-0 series lead, but there was plenty to talk about, including the first embellishment penalty of Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby’s career.
…No, you read that correctly.
Coming into the game, Crosby had played 21 NHL seasons and had never gotten the game for embellishment, until a bizarre sequence between whistles.
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Penguins captain Sidney Crosby lies on the ice after catching a high stick from Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway. He was also assessed a minor penalty for embellishment.(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Flyers forward (and top-tier agitator, it must be said) Garnet Hathaway skated between Crosby and the linesman ahead of a faceoff in the Flyers’ defensive zone and was, let’s just say, “Careless” with his lumber.
There was no doubt it caught the Pens’ captain in the face, but there was also no doubt that it wasn’t hard enough to send Crosby sprawling to the ice as a sniper had fired from the rafters.
Both were sent to the box, and the game continued at 4-on-4.
After the game, Crosby offered his reaction to that incident and to another scrum involving teammate Bryan Rust a bit later that resulted in a Flyers power play and a power play goal.
“I don’t know how Rusty ends up with the extra [penalty] out of all of that, I don’t know how I end up with the embellishment,” he said. “It’s hard to understand, but you gotta play through that.”
I mean… you did sell it a bit, Sid.
Now on the Rust situation? The Flyers did luck out.
Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates against the New York Rangers in Game Seven of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 15, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
But back to the most talked about dive since the days of Greg Louganis. During the broadcast, it was revealed that this was Crosby’s first-ever penalty for embellishment. Fortunatley, I wasn’t drinking anything when I heard this because I would’ve choked on it.
For 21 of my 30 years on this glorious space marble we call Earth, I’ve been tormented by Sidney Crosby, and a big part of that was his penchant for diving and whining.
Now, he has kind of grown out of that, but it was such a known thing that f
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Former Flyers goalie Brian Boucher alluded to his old habits during TNT’s broadcast of Game 3.
Hell, I remember reading in former NHL referee Kerry Fraser’s book about this habit.
While the Penguins were not happy about the officiating — and I do think they had a pretty legitimate case on that Rust incident — they can’t be hung up on these things down 3-0.
The Flyers have been the more solid team all series long, and that’s why they have their cross-state rivals on the ropes going into Saturday night’s Game 4 in Philadelphia.
Mar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) shoots against Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) in the first half during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images
As expected, BYU forward AJ Dybantsa declared Thursday for the 2026 NBA Draft.
He made the announcement in his hometown of Brockton, Mass., at the Davis School, which he attended as a child.
The 6-foot-9 Dybantsa likely will be one of the top three picks in the draft. Fellow freshmen Darryn Peterson of Kansas and Cameron Boozer of Duke join Dybantsa as potential No. 1 picks.
The top-ranked player in the high school Class of 2025, Dybantsa won numerous national postseason awards as he broke 19 BYU freshman season and single-game records.
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A consensus first team All-American, he also was named to the All-Big 12 first team and was the conference’s Freshman of the Year.
He started 35 games for the Cougars and led the nation with 25.5 points per game. His 894 points were the third-most by a freshman in NCAA Division I men’s basketball history.
He added 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists on 51.0% shooting from the field and 33.1% from 3-point territory.
Dybantsa became one of two players in Big 12 history with a 30/10/10 triple-double when he had 33 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists against Eastern Washington on Dec. 22, 2025. David Harrison also had a 30/10/10 triple-double for Colorado in 2002.
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The top draft candidates will watch the NBA Draft Lottery with interest as the selection order is determined. That is scheduled for May 10 at 3 p.m. ET in Chicago, with the draft to be held June 23 and 24.
Delhi Capitals have signed England’s bowling all-rounder Rehan Ahmed as a replacement for compatriot Ben Duckett for the remainder of the Indian Premier League this season, the organisers said on Thursday. Duckett withdrew from the IPL 2026 primarily to focus on his international career with England and manage his physical and mental workload. “Delhi Capitals have picked Rehan Ahmed as a replacement for Ben Duckett for the remainder of IPL,” the IPL said in a statement.
“Rehan, a right-arm leg-spinner, has played 5 Tests, 9 ODIs and 13 T20Is for England and has scalped 49 international wickets.
“He will join DC for Rs 75 lakh.” Rehan became the youngest man to play a Test England when he made his debut at 18 years and 126 days old in Karachi in December 2022.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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IPL 2026 News | Shami’s Sensation Leads Lucknow to First Win of Season
Liverpool might just have a future version of Erling Haaland on their hands and if he keeps going he will be in the first-team very soon.
The football world first took notice of Manchester City’s prolific striker when he scored nine goals in a single game at the U20 World Cup.
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From that moment, it was clear a generational talent had arrived. Since then, the Norwegian has developed into one of the most feared forwards in world football.
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Haaland is a phenomenon. At times, he barely seems human, more like a goal-scoring machine built with a single purpose. The way he overwhelms defenders with sheer intensity is astonishing.
But his game isn’t just about physical dominance. Beyond his strength and speed lies a clinical edge that sets him apart. His finishing is on another level entirely.
Left foot, right foot, headers, long-range efforts, he scores with calm precision in every situation. His movement inside the box is equally elite, always finding the right space to convert even the smallest chance.
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Put simply, he’s the most complete striker in the modern game.
According to Anfield Watch, Liverpool once had the opportunity to sign him during his early days in Norway, when he was offered to several clubs before Molde gave him his breakthrough.
Now, however, the Reds’ academy could be nurturing a player in a similar mould, and if his development continues at this pace, a first-team breakthrough may not be far away.
Harrison O’Brien is attracting a lot of attention lately for Liverpool’s academy. He scored a hat-trick in the U15 Merseyside Cup against Ferencvaros earlier this season and he just scored another hat-trick in the final of the U15 Premier League Cup to help Liverpool’s U15 side win the tournament.
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If that wasn’t enough, he’s also scored a double hat-trick this season.
He netted six goals in Liverpool’s U15 side’s 7-1 victory over Stoke City.
So, the kid is talented and he loves to score goals – just like Haaland. What’s impressive that O’Brien’s goals are not all the same. He’s got a nice range, capable of scoring from long distance and from short distances. He’s quick, powerful and deadly in front of goal in and around the box.
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On top of that he is an industrious forward who can also play on the wing and works really hard.
The inner circles of the club are starting to get excited by O’Brien’s potential.
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That is according to the Daily Mail which claims that one expert source connected to Liverpool’s academy said the following about the young forward:
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‘He is scary good, like a young Erling Haaland’
With the long-hair and the ability to score goals for fun, it’s easy to see where those comparisons come from.
He’s only 15-years-old but he’s been playing a few age-groups above his own and he has netted a whopping 50-goals already this season at academy level.
In total as per The Talent Hunter on Instagram, O’Brien has 74 goal contributions this season, including 51 goals and 23 assists.
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But that was a few months ago now, he’s already scored a few more since then.
The dynamic forward has already been spending a lot of time with the club’s U16 team and he could follow in the path of Luca Eden by making his U18 debut very soon – maybe even before the season ends but definitely next season.
From the U18s, it’s only a short path to the first-team and if he scores this many goals there too, it won’t be long until O’Brien is working alongside Arne Slot’s team – especially considering the lack of depth in those attacking positions at the club.
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Liverpool haven’t had much luck with producing academy strikers in recent years. Many have come but so far many have failed to make their mark.
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The likes of Adam Morgan, Rhian Brewster, Jerome Sinclair and Krisztian Nemeth were all prolific at youth level but then never quite broke onto the scene in the first-team.
Jayden Danns will be hoping to break that trend and O’Brien is definitely a name worth keeping a close eye on, too.
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He’s another big talent coming through the ranks at the academy, which is now looking very strong.
Liverpool’s future is definitely in safe hands. And soon they may have the next Haaland joining the first-team – if he keeps his performances up.
MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 23: Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece watches the ball as he plays a shot against Patrick Kypson of the United States during the Men’s Singles Second Round match at Stadium 3 on day four of the Mutua Madrid Open at La Caja Magica on April 23, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Ion Alcoba Beitia/Getty Images)
Stefanos Tsitsipas came from a set down to beat Patrick Kypson 3-6, 7-6, 7-6 in Madrid.
Tsitsipas lost the opening set 6-3 and was pushed all the way in the next two, needing back-to-back tiebreaks to get over the line.
The result ends a three-match losing streak for the Greek, who had been struggling coming into the tournament. He had lost six of his previous eight matches.
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Madrid could be an important turning point. Tsitsipas has a good record on clay and has reached semi-finals and finals on clay before.
Margo’s job in Margo’s Got Money Troubles season 1 episode 4 continues to follow her journey towards adulthood as she struggles to find financial stability amidst motherhood and a growing dependence on an unconventional source of income. In the first three episodes, viewers see the level of desperation that Margo is experiencing and her relationship with her best friend Susie, as well as the tricky presence of her absentee father, Jinx.
Disclaimer: The following article contains spoilers for the show. Reader’s discretion is advised.
In Margo’s Got Money Troubles season 1 episode 4, the action gets slower, yet the tension builds when Margo chooses to take up OnlyFans. The main conflict revolves around the moment when Jinx discovers Margo’s new source of employment. This moment of discovery comes in the form of him walking into Susie’s room, where Margo is in the middle of a photoshoot. Initially, there is some misunderstanding, which soon turns into judgment.
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How does Jinx find out about Margo’s job in Margo’s Got Money Troubles season 1 episode 4?
A still from the series (Image via Instagram/@appletv)
Margo’s Got Money Troubles season 1 episode 4 establishes Margo’s employment revelation by using a humorous misunderstanding at first and then shifting to the realm of emotional conflict.
Jinx is still adjusting to the reality of his daughter’s life as he moves into her house. When he enters Susie’s room, he discovers Margo being photographed in a manner that leaves him confused. Initially, Jinx had assumed that Margo and Susie might be romantically involved. The confusion clears when Margo tells him that she is photographing herself to sell images on OnlyFans. The response from Jinx is quick and negative, showing how he cannot accept what his daughter is doing as well as how his attitude towards such work is influenced by his problems.
He does not even ask any questions, stating right away that the work is dishonorable; the scene shows his lack of understanding as well. Margo confronts him about this, showing her frustration and how hypocritical his attitude towards her job is, considering his career history and her mother’s profession as well.
How does Jinx get injured in Margo’s Got Money Troubles season 1 episode 4?
A still from the series (Image via Instagram/@appletv)
In Margo’s Got Money Troubles season 1 episode 4, Jinx’s narrative undergoes a drastic shift as soon as the action shifts to the wrestling convention, with nostalgia rapidly turning into worry. Although the place seems familiar and comfortable at first, while his ex-coworkers such as Lace make him feel more at ease, Jinx soon encounters difficulties and collapses in the ring after performing his demonstration.
The issue does not have a straightforward solution since it is caused by a combination of factors that include years of physical strain, as well as an unresolved addiction problem and depression. This latter factor becomes especially clear after the viewer learns about Margo’s suspicions concerning Jinx’s mental well-being.
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Jinx’s unwillingness to share his experience of dealing with addiction with doctors adds additional stress to the situation and underlines the extent of the trauma and self-blame. His injury becomes a symbol to restore the past life’s image that he cannot maintain anymore. Even though he eventually makes concessions and shows some remorse towards Margo, it is not entirely clear whether he is ready to accept his problems.
Other highlights from Margo’s Got Money Troubles season 1 episode 4
Notably, in Margo’s Got Money Troubles season 1 episode 4, viewers see Margo’s career move towards something more strategic as far as building her profile on OnlyFans is concerned. Choosing to work with experienced artists such as Wang and Rose, and signing an NDA, it demonstrates how she has now started taking calculated risks in her journey to achieve her goal.
In contrast, the arrangements for Shyanne’s wedding hint at some hidden emotions. For instance, being unable to calm down Bodhi and responding angrily when Jinx suggests how she should parent makes it evident that Shyanne harbors some animosity towards having raised Margo single-handedly.
The episode’s closing moments add further complexity, as Jinx learns the truth about Bodhi’s father and quietly leaves, later confronting Mark off-screen.
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Margo’s Got Money Troubles season 1 episode 4 is available to stream on Apple TV+.
Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku speaks ahead of the FA Cup semi-final on his ambitions to be talked about differently
Jeremy Doku wants to be seen as the best winger in the world – and the Manchester City man knows how to do it.
Doku’s dazzling ability with the ball at his feet was obvious from an early age, and he became one of the youngest debutants in Anderlecht history as a 16-year-old in November 2018. The following season, his new coach Vincent Kompany would tell the teenager that he saw him playing at a club like City, even though Doku struggled to see it himself; he now does not see it as a coincidence that the Blues opted to sign a player so highly rated by their former captain, who is now himself one of the best coaches in the game.
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City knew they were getting an explosive talent when they signed Doku in 2023 but they were also aware of the injury battles that had arisen from a player so dependent on acceleration in his game, while there were also concerns over his final product. It was a difficult summer for everyone at the club working out how to move on from a team that had won the Treble and who to move on.
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“It’s not easy because you come from Rennes. I’m sure that they didn’t watch a lot. I’m sure that they didn’t watch a lot of my games in France, my teammates. So maybe they didn’t know me,” he said.
“You have to prove, you have to also show that I deserve to be here. Nothing will be given to you. You have to take it. And that was also my mentality. So I wanted just to show my capabilities, what I’m able to do and that’s what I tried to do.
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“Coming into the dressing room, you have to also acknowledge that you play with top quality players. So you also have to raise your standards up and raise your quality up. And I felt like the coach also welcomed me well. The teammates did as well. They were all nice with me. So I fitted in well.
“I think when they buy players, they know which mentality, which characteristics the players have. And also we have a coach that’s very passionate, pushes us every time. We have experienced players that won a lot who are still hungry.
“We have young players that come in this club and know that, oh, this club is used to winning trophies. So we’re all driven by that. We all want to win trophies. We all want to be among the best. If you look at every player here, that’s their goal.
“If you’re there without competition, maybe you will not feel the pressure. But in this club, you know that they always buy players, which is normal, to make the team better. You need to make the team better. You need to make the team competitive and that’s what they have been doing.
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“This has been working as well. And for me, that’s fine because at the end of the day, that pushes me as well to work harder to know that, oh, there’s someone in my back that wants to play. There’s someone forward that needs to take his place. But it’s all like, not in a bad way. It’s all in a good way, a healthy competition.”
Doku’s journey at City has, like his dribbling, not been straightforward. Pep Guardiola has called him the best in the world over five metres and he has the ability to produce matchwinning moments against quality opposition – usually Liverpool but also United this season.
His end product and his fitness have both frustrated at different points though, and Guardiola said earlier this season that he didn’t think the winger would ever be a prolific scorer. That is criticism that Doku accepts but is working to improve as he looks to evolve his game in the way that Raheem Sterling did so successfully at City to find ways of scoring simple goals.
“I feel like assists, in that area, I’m fine. I feel like I’m doing well in that area because that doesn’t always depend on you. So key passes and assists, I feel like that area that’s all right. I feel like the goals is more… I have to be more in the areas where you can score easy goals, you know, tap-ins and stuff like that,” he said.
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“Sometimes in the game, you get, not distracted, but you don’t realise sometimes what you’re doing and you don’t realise that you’re not in that position where you should be to just score the easy goals. When I look at all my goals even this season, every time dribbles, every time when I do it myself, and I just want to score also, I don’t know, even five tap-ins the season, that makes a big difference.”
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Doku has made himself into a valuable part of Guardiola’s starting XI for the biggest games, despite that lack of goals, because of everything else he offers to the team. Rayan Cherki is the only teammate to have more than his eight assists in all competitions and he has left enough defenders dizzy that he is now regularly marked by two if not three defenders when he gets the ball; it is no coincidence that Nico O’Reilly is able to find himself free in the final third when he is playing next to Doku.
With the freedom that he is given to operate in the final third though – and he is, whatever the myth about Guardiola stifling wingers – the 23-year-old knows that goals are the currency he must buy into if he wants to reach his goal of being talked about as one of the best wingers in the world rather than just a promising talent.
“At the end of the day, it’s me, it’s my responsibility to be consistent, to be always unstoppable, to be always difficult to retain and to be always reliable as a player for my team, for my coach, for this club, and that’s what I want to do,” he said.
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“You should ask defenders what they think. What do they think? But I’m sure that they would say that, obviously if I score goals, this is a different conversation that we have. A winger needs to score. If I have those goals then I believe that I can get there for sure. 100 per cent.
“I know one versus one, obviously that’s my biggest quality. I’m not going to hide behind it. That’s my biggest quality and that’s my talent. But for sure, goals need to come as well. And I know that if I have goals, yeah, like I said, it’s a different conversation that we’re having.”
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