Jeremy Doku reveals how Pep Guardiola is feeling about Manchester City’s struggling performances | OneFootball

Manchester City forward Jeremy Doku has offered an insight into how Pep Guardiola is currently handling the squad’s struggling performances.

The Belgian winger has become one of Guardiola’s key attacking options since his arrival from Rennes in 2023, but his latest remarks come during a testing spell for the Premier League giants at the start of the new season.

After opening the campaign with a convincing 0-4 away win against Wolves, Manchester City have since stumbled in back-to-back defeats, including their most recent 2-1 loss away to Brighton.

That defeat at the Amex Stadium, which also saw Oscar Bobb pick up a knock and Rayan Aït-Nouri continue to battle fitness problems, was another reminder of how Manchester City are searching for rhythm in the early weeks of the new season.

Midfield leader Rodri has already hinted at ‘off-the-field’ issues needing to improve, while Doku himself has admitted to a difficult personal start, stating recently that he is targeting greater output in front of goal.

Now, Doku has expanded further, focusing not only on his own development but also on the attitude of Pep Guardiola, who he insists remains as driven as ever despite the team’s difficult opening weeks.

Speaking during a new interview with Het Nieuwsblad, Doku rejected the notion that he and his Manchester City teammates have had a complete pre-season leading up to their struggling start to the brand new campaign.

“I’m not the best version of myself yet,” Doku began, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness.

“For us players, good pre-season simply doesn’t exist anymore. We get three weeks off and have to be ready again. It takes time to get back on track as a team.

The Belgian winger continued, “Our coach, Pep Guardiola, is still as passionate as ever and is working even harder to turn things around quickly.

“Pep isn’t just sitting there for no reason. It’s good that I can get some oxygen here with the national team.”

Pep Guardiola’s intensity is nothing new to Manchester City players, but Doku’s comments highlight that the Catalan coach is doubling down in training to address tactical sharpness and consistency.

With new signings such as Rayan Cherki still bedding into the system, and the uncertainty of mainstay goalkeeper Ederson resolved on deadline day with Gianluigi Donnarumma coming into the squad in his place, the City boss is under pressure to spark an immediate reaction.

The weeks following the international break will be critical in determining whether Pep Guardiola’s efforts can quickly reverse City’s fortunes. With crucial fixtures against rivals looming and expectations to challenge across all competitions, Doku’s words suggest Guardiola is far from passive, and is instead ramping up his demands behind the scenes.