When Pep Guardiola said Jeremy Doku was the best player in the world “in the first five metres” last season, he meant it to sound a lot better than many people interpreted it.
To some of Doku’s critics, it was basically Guardiola saying the Belgian winger was quick off the mark. Given his usual starting skill is to knock the ball past an opponent and run, he is usually only touching the ball once in those five metres. It’s when the next touches come that can cause an issue.
That has always been the question with Doku. He passes the eye test. Just watch him torment wingers every now and again, and you can see why there is excitement around his talent. But the end product has to improve.
He registered six goals and nine assists in 38 appearances last season, and there have been 33 goal involvements in 82 appearances for the Blues since signing from Rennes for 拢55million. When playing on the wing for Manchester City, those numbers clearly need to be higher.
But maybe things are clicking. He was electric for Belgium in June’s World Cup qualifiers and has carried that form into the Club World Cup. He scored a volley from a Phil Foden corner against Wydad AC, sat out the win against Al Ain, and then looked pin-sharp against Juventus.
Even before his early goal, he had already combined nicely with Rayan Ait-Nouri. An exchange of passes ended with Ait-Nouri crossing for Bernardo Silva, who should have scored rather than shooting straight at Michele Di Gregorio.
Ait-Nouri spent Sunday night playing high and wide, offering width on the left, but with Doku in the team against Juventus, he was also happy to play a little narrower. That was where he found himself early on. Doku initially stepped towards Ait-Nouri but quickly sprinted the other way, leaving Alberto Costa clutching at thin air.
It was a superb bit of movement and the kind of intelligent attacking play that Doku is now adding to his game more regularly. The pass from Ait-Nouri was perfectly weighted, allowing Doku to cut inside Pierre Kalulu and whip a smart finish inside the far post.
Within 10 minutes, the left back and left winger had twice shown they were on the same wavelength and given a glimpse of what a threat they could make on that flank this season.
鈥淗onestly, he鈥檚 a top player,鈥 said Doku after the game. 鈥淗e鈥檚 settled so fast and quick, he can play inside or outside.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a joy to play with him. He speaks French as well. The connection is there. And I鈥檓 happy that he鈥檚 here with us.”
Doku has been one of the stars of the tournament so far, and with City’s route to the final opening up, he should continue to light up the show in the United States.
There is plenty of competition for places in that City attack now, but a lot of the wide options prefer the right to the left. Doku can make that position his own this season, and if he can add end product to that stunning first five metres, then he really could become one of the best players in the world.
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