Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterEvery young player will hit a crossroads during their career path that will present the hopeful with a key decision that could prove to be pivotal in their development.Before Jeremy Doku established himself as one of Europes best wingers and earned a �55million move to Manchester City from Rennes in 2023, it all began at Anderlecht, where he worked his way through the youth team ranks.And it was during this period that he was forced to make a major decision and turn down the opportunity to develop under one of the games most influential characters.Doku on turning down LiverpoolFourFourTwo's World Cup Wallchart - While stocks last!Large A1 Football Wall Chart with Space for Scores and Predictions: Designed for easy viewing and interaction with room to write results and build predictionsView DealDoku made his senior debut for Anderlecht as a 16-year-old, but even before he appeared in the Belgian sides first team, he was sounded out by Jurgen Klopps Liverpool.You could only sign a contract when you were 16, Doku explains to FourFourTwo. At 15, Anderlecht wanted me to sign, a lot of teams were interested and I went to visit Liverpool. You may like I spoke with Pep Guardiola, and obviously you dont need a lot of convincing to go to Manchester City. He showed his interest in me, which made me comfortable signing Jeremy Doku on how his Etihad move came about Former Liverpool man on the first time he caught a glimpse of Kylian Mbappe as a youngster Endrick can't put into words what it meant to sign for Real Madrid I spoke with Jurgen Klopp, with Sadio Mane, and in the end, the decision was up to me.Rather than move to a new country at such a young age, Doku believed he would be better served remaining in Belgium.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.It didnt feel right at that point, he continues. In England at that time, it wasnt like it is now, where a lot of players from that young age go into the first team and are already performing.I felt like Id have more chance to be in the first team quicker at Anderlecht and build my career up from there. If I was performing, theyd come again one day.That was my mentality, and I think I was right.The young Doku was able to call on the advice of another Belgian striker who was presented with the opportunity to move abroad at a young age, as Anderlecht arranged for their former forward, Romelu Lukaku, to record a message to outline why starting his career in Brussels helped him.He sent me a video, Doku confirms. People sometimes say thats the reason why I stayed, but at that stage I didnt need someone to tell me what to do. Trust me, at that young age, I felt like there was already a guidance inside, telling me which direction to go.Romelu gave me advice my decision was already made, but it confirmed it. The money was bigger at Liverpool, but my decision was clear. I wanted to stay at Anderlecht, and here I am now.TOPICSManchester CityPremier LeagueJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromChris FlanaganSenior Staff Writer
