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Belgium kick off their World Cup campaign on Monday as a team that is somewhat in transition.
The Red Devils followed up their 2018 third-placed finish by crashing out in the group stage in Qatar four years later, opening the door for a new generation of stars to assume greater responsibility alongside the established players who have defined the side over the past decade.
Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku is one of these bright new talents who embodies this changing of the guard, and on the eve of his second World Cup, he is ready to take the next step up.
Jeremy Doku on embracing a leadership role
At the 2022 World Cup, the 19-year-old Doku, who was then at French side Rennes, was one of the youngest players in former boss Roberto Martinez’s squad as he got a first taste of a major international tournament.
Now, with a £55million move under his belt and after playing three seasons under Pep Guardiola, he is ready to take on a new role with the national team.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” Doku tells FourFourTwo. “This will be my second World Cup, but my first with a different role, a more important role.
“People will look towards me more to make a difference with the experience I have now. Playing for City, and how I’ve been performing, it’s given me another role in the national team. It’s my turn to take more responsibility – especially in the bad moments, when maybe it’s more difficult, when we’re losing or not playing that well. I can go and get the ball, show no fear, play my game and be dangerous, to create opportunities for the team.
“I have a real winner’s mentality – especially after playing for City, that really grew in me. When I go to play with the national team, that stays with me, and if you want to win, you have to communicate with your team-mates, to share what you think. That’s what I’m doing more in the national team – I’m not shy, I’m not hiding behind anyone. I’m speaking my mind – in a respectful way, obviously – to try to bring the team forward, so that we can perform at the highest level.”
That role will become even more important when Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku are no longer around – aged 34 and 33 respectively, this summer’s showpiece looks likely to be their last World Cup.
“They’ve contributed so much to our country, and we’re happy they’re here and still performing at the highest level for us – I’m sure they’ll do that at this World Cup,” Doku says.
“With their age, at one point they won’t be there any more and we’re conscious of that – the other players must stand up. It’s our duty to take that burden off them, as the country must keep on performing.”
Belgium may not be among that leading group of favourites to win the tournament, but Doku insists he and his team-mates will refuse to leave the tournament without having done all they can do.
“Everyone will say that we want to win this tournament, and I’m not going to be different. Everybody has that desire – to be the Belgium we used to show, and see how far we go. We know we’re not the favourites, but maybe that will work in our favour. We want to leave without any regrets – so that if we leave, we’ve given everything we have. Whatever is in my power, I’ll do it.”
