Van der Elst warns Belgium: Doku’s World Cup still empty

From the sidelines in the United States, former Belgium defender Franky Van der Elst watched the Red Devils stumble through their World Cup campaign, lamenting that the much‑hailed Jérémy Doku has yet to make an impact after four matches and 39 caps, despite sky‑high expectations.

Van der Elst aired his views on the "Frank & Franky" podcast of Het , calling the changes made by coach Garcia "crazy" but understandable. He argued that it was logical for Doku to be asked to play against Senegal, even though the youngster only showed a brief spark before being substituted.

The former Club Brugge icon stressed the tactical demands placed on Doku, quoting, "Watch out, don’t forget: he started on the left, moved centrally after the first drinking break, then to the right, but he never found his rhythm." Van der Elst added that regardless of the position, Doku’s initiative remained lacking.

After Belgium’s four World Cup games, Van der Elst noted the stark absence of Doku’s imprint, stating, "We all thought it had to be Doku’s tournament. So far it is actually nothing." He contrasted Doku’s contribution with that of his teammates who have begun to leave their mark.

Van der Elst highlighted that the tournament is already shaping up as Trossard’s, as statistics show Trossard generating the most chances for Belgium. He also warned that Doku is not yet at the level of Lamine Yamal, saying, "At that table he’s not there; he must sit beside it for now."

Reflecting on his own career, Van der Elst recalled his 86 international appearances as a defender, noting that his former attacking colleagues might be better placed to judge Doku. Nevertheless, he believes the 39‑cap youngster could still explode with the right impetus.

If Doku fails to translate his potential into decisive moments, Van der Elst warns that Belgium’s World Cup ambitions could hinge on the creativity of players like Trossard. The former defender’s blunt assessment underscores the pressure on the young winger as the tournament progresses.