Man City scourge Seydou Doumbia a target for Liverpool and Chelsea

CSKA Moscow and Ivory Coast forward Seydou Doumbia has now scored five goals against Manchester City in his career, which is half of his total tally in the Champions League in 13 matches.

That sensational record and his impressive form in all competitions over the last two seasons for the Russian top-flight champions have got other English Premier League clubs thinking, with Chelsea and Liverpool interested.

Jose Mourinho’s side (1/6 odds-on title favourites) are certainly having no issue getting goals this term, with Diego Costa netting 10 in nine league games and the Blues smashing in the most with 28.

However, with Brazilian-born Spain international Costa still struggling with fitness and Loic Remy yet to really impress, Doumbia would be a good fit.

It is fair to say that Ivorian players are highly regarded at Stamford Bridge, with returning legend Didier Drogba and fellow Champions League winner Salomon Kalou fan favourites. Doumbia is also adept at playing out wide and has terrific pace, so could be utilised in a number of areas.

Liverpool (9/4 top four chances), meanwhile, are in desperate need of a new frontman, as Daniel Sturridge has missed most of this season injured, while Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert are failing to live up to Luis Suarez’s level.

Despite Doumbia suffering heavily through injury in the 2012/13 campaign and part of the following season, the former prolific Young Boys Bern attacker keeps firing in goals.

He regained fitness at the end of last season, to score nine times in his last 11 league games. However, it was still somehow not enough to see Doumbia get called up to his national team Ivory Coast for the World Cup last summer.

That rejection has not deterred Doumbia, though, and he has fired in nine goals in all competitions this already, including hitting three past Man City across two matches. His first strike helped his side to a home 2-2 draw, before his double at the Etihad beat Manuel Pellegrini’s men 2-1.

CSKA are currently third in their Champions League Group E, level on points with Roma, and are 5/2 chances to qualify from their pool.