Scotland icon names City winger as ‘the best in Europe’ and thinks that an Arsenal capture is the most underrated signing in the Premier League in recent years

When asked to share his thoughts on recent ‘bests’, this ex-Arsenal and Manchester City striker laid down some platitudes for current players at his former clubs.

Paul Dickov may have begun his career at Arsenal, but the pint-sized striker established himself as an icon away from the capital during two stints at Manchester City, back in the day when City were the epitome of a yo-yo club.

A lot has changed in East Manchester since Sheikh Mansour rolled into town and bought City in 2008. His riches turned around the fortunes of the club and now City are a byword for success, or paid-for success depending on the team you support.

Dickov was around during the bad times, but he’s also been able to watch City’s rapid rise and near total dominance of English football from close quarters as a club ambassador. During Sheikh Mansour’s watch, City have splashed almost £3bn on players, and Dickov believes that Jeremy Doku, who joined in 2023 for £55m from French club Rennes, is currently the best winger in Europe.

Dickov names Doku as the best winger in Europe right now

Speaking to Best Betting Bonuses immediately after Manchester City stuffed Liverpool 3-0, where Doku netted a superb solo-goal as part of a man of the match performance, Dickov claimed that the 23-year-old Belgian international was the best winger in Europe.

Asked if Doku was the best winger in the Premier League, Dickov went one step further: “I would say he’s probably the best in Europe at the minute. Not just of his performance against Liverpool, which was top drawer, but I said before the game, that despite Erling Haaland’s goals, Doku has consistently been City’s best player and biggest threat.

“People were forgetting last season. They were questioning his end product a little bit. And maybe he was doing all these dribbles and was playing at a mile-a-minute. Maybe his crossing and finishing suffered, but he’s worked so hard at his game. He’s only 23 years old. He’s a young boy, and he’s just impossible to defend against when he gets you one on one.

“Even when Liverpool were trying to double up on him and go two on one, he was still beating both defenders as if they weren’t there,” Dickov said.

There’s no denying that Doku was in dazzling form against Liverpool, and now the challenge is to do that every week.

“The problem he has now is that the standard that he played at yesterday, people are going to expect that every single week from him, which is going to be difficult to do. 

“But at the minute, off the top of my head, I can’t think of a better winger in Europe, never mind in the Premier League,” Dickov said.

Midfielder Merino the most underrated signing in recent years

Dickov didn’t just reserve the praise for his City pals. When he was asked who he thought was the most underrated signing in the Premier League over the last few transfer windows, he opted for Arsenal midfielder come emergency striker Mikel Merino.

Merino, who joined Arsenal in 2024 for £31m from Real Sociedad, proved to be surprisingly versatile when he was asked to play as the Gunners number nine due to an injury crisis in the second half of last season.

In 62 appearances, the European Champion has netted 12 goals. Not bad for a player many Gunners fans questioned the signing of when he joined.

It’s fair to say that Merino has turned the fickle Arsenal fans around, and he’s also gained an admirer in Paul Dickov.

“I think if you’ve got to look at how he came in as a midfielder, how he transformed himself into a centre-forward last year when Arsenal had the injuries that they did.

“I like him, he’s a really good player and I do think he is underrated. He’s a player that chips in with goals when needed. He doesn’t mind putting his foot in. When he plays up top, he puts himself about and causes problems and I think he’s been a really good signing.

“Sometimes players like that go under the radar a little bit when you’re making big signings, especially this season at Arsenal with Gyokeres and Eze, they’re easier on the eye and more flattering because of the price tag, and where they’ve come from. 

“But I’m pretty sure that his teammates and especially Mikel Arteta and his staff know how important he is, and probably realise the value that Mikel’s got in him,” Dickov said.

The Essential Football verdict

Doku’s in fine form, but the Belgian has been remarkably inconsistent since he joined Manchester City. He’s going to need to deliver a few more five-star performances before we agree with Dickov’s statement that he’s the best winger in Europe.

As for Mikel Merino, there’s no denying that the Spaniard is a dead-eye finisher and his versatility adds to Mikel Arteta‘s team. The most underrated signing in recent years? That could be a bit of a stretch.