[Saba Sports News] Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku has undoubtedly been the hottest talking point at Belgium’s national team base over the past week. The winger returned to the squad last night after welcoming the birth of his son Press, though his flight arrived three hours later than scheduled. Team doctor Brecht de Koninck accompanied him throughout the journey. Notably, the physician had rushed to buy a gift for the newborn in London beforehand.
Nevertheless, Doku’s respiratory infection remains a cause for concern. Belgian outlet Voetbalkrant reports that the winger has yet to fully recover from the illness. Alongside antibiotics, he has undergone corticosteroid treatment to fight the infection, which has yielded positive results. Doku took part in light training today. While this far from ideal preparation, buoyed by the joy of becoming a father, he is full of confidence ahead of the match against New Zealand. That said, it remains to be seen whether jet lag from his quick trip to and from London will take its toll.
In my view, in professional football, forcing a player to compete with an unresolved respiratory infection can easily trigger severe complications such as myocarditis or lead to a sharp drop in match form. The Belgian medical staff’s decision to travel alongside Doku and limit his training intensity embodies a scientific management philosophy that prioritizes player health over the result of a single fixture.