Dribbling Inspirations: Lessons from Midge Purce and Jérémy Doku
Gotham FC capped off a remarkable turnaround in the 2023 NWSL season, edging into the playoffs on goal difference and ultimately lifting the league title thanks to a standout performance from Midge Purce. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Manchester City’s Jérémy Doku has been dazzling fans with his explosive dribbling. This article explores the dribbling artistry of both players, revealing techniques and tactics that set them apart.
Midge Purce: A Showcase of Direct and Unpredictable Dribbling
Margaret “Midge” Purce has built her reputation as one of the most dynamic wingers in the NWSL. Though her overall goal contributions might not always top the charts, her ability to influence big moments is undeniable. In the decisive moments of the 2023 season, Purce delivered two critical assists on the final day, cementing her impact.
Opposing defenders fear her most in direct one-on-one encounters. Purce combines pure speed, strong ball control, and fearless intent to break through defensive lines. Her favored technique involves pushing the ball into open space and using her pace to reach it ahead of her markers. This approach relies on reading both the defender and the available space with sharp anticipation.
While Purce is famous for her explosiveness, she also masters game tempo. She skillfully employs a pause during her dribbles—a technical maneuver sometimes referred to as “La Pausa”—to destabilize defenders before suddenly accelerating in a new direction. This mix of unpredictability and control keeps defenders guessing.
Purce’s dribbling versatility is evident whether she plays on the right or the left. When operating on the left flank, she prefers to cut inside onto her stronger right foot, yet her speed allows her to drive down the line by simply knocking the ball past her opponent. On the right, her two-footed ability lets her cut inside onto her left, making her harder to predict.
From both wings, her celebrated “knock-past” move often creates separation or even enables a cheeky nutmeg to escape tight pressure. In crucial moments—like Gotham’s opening goal in the NWSL final—Purce exemplifies perfect timing: identifying space, using her burst to beat the defender, pausing to freeze her opponent, and then accelerating past before delivering an accurate final pass.
Jérémy Doku: The Artistry and Power of Modern Wing Play
On Manchester City’s right flank, Jérémy Doku has become synonymous with electrifying dribbling. Much like Kaoru Mitoma—who famously wrote an academic thesis on dribbling mechanics—Doku is redefining the winger role in top-level football.
What sets Doku apart is the combination of raw acceleration, upper body strength, and a relentless drive to take on defenders repeatedly. He often resembles a player blending the close control of Eden Hazard with enhanced physicality and speed. Doku’s dribbling is unpredictable: he can breeze past defenders with a sharp touch into open space, just as Purce does, but is equally adept at abrupt changes of direction that leave would-be tacklers stranded.
This unpredictability is both his greatest weapon and something that requires careful balance. While he excels at opening up defenses and finding space, Doku must avoid overcomplicating situations or doubling back into crowded areas after initially beating an opponent. At Manchester City, he’s developed an acute sense for when and where to attack, reading space and taking it decisively—most often favoring his left when working from the right flank, and vice versa.
Young players can draw a fundamental lesson from Doku: assess the available space, commit confidently, and use a strong first touch to accelerate past your defender. But Doku’s toolkit doesn’t end with direct dribbling. He incorporates feints—such as fake shots or subtle foot flicks—that recall the flair of Neymar. These moves invite defenders to commit prematurely, opening lanes for Doku to exploit with his next touch.
A key to Doku’s effectiveness is his discipline in shot selection. Rather than immediately unleashing an effort, he uses his first touch to set up an optimal shooting angle, only striking when his position is most advantageous—such as his memorable finish against Bournemouth.
Despite fierce competition for starting places, Doku’s performances continue to keep established stars like Jack Grealish on the bench, all at just 21 years old.
Key Takeaways for Aspiring Dribblers
Both Midge Purce and Jérémy Doku highlight the evolution of the modern winger—a player capable of blending direct pace, technical excellence, and game intelligence. Key dribbling principles they exemplify include:
– Recognize and exploit open space with sharp first touches.
– Use speed and changes of tempo to keep defenders off balance.
– Embrace unpredictability—vary your route, foot, and final move.
– Master “La Pausa”: pause during your dribble to draw defenders in before accelerating past them.
– Incorporate feints and show confidence in one-on-one scenarios.
– Select the right moment for a pass or a shot after beating your marker.
By studying and emulating the techniques of Purce and Doku, players at all levels can add new dimensions to their attacking play and turn even the most crowded wings into avenues for decisive action.
