All indications are that a Manchester City winger is taking the next step as a player | OneFootball

Jeremy Doku is now in his third season as a Manchester City player. After signing for City in August of 2023, Doku had shown flashes of brilliance during his first two seasons at the club. There was also an inconsistency in Doku’s play across those two seasons. That was to be expected given Doku’s age. Entering this season, the challenge was for Doku to take the next step and become a consistent contributor for Manchester City. Based on his past four appearances, it is clear that Doku is taking the next step as a player. That was evident in Manchester City’s 5-1 win over Burnley yesterday.

Jeremy Doku continued his strong form with a man-of-the-match display against Burnley.

Against Manchester United, Napoli and Arsenal, Jeremy Doku had been one of Manchester City’s most dangerous attacking players. Alongside Erling Haaland and Phil Foden, Doku had been a force in the final third for Pep Guardiola’s side. His end product has been there as the Belgian international has been scoring goals and providing assists. It has long been hoped that Doku would improve this side of his game. With Omar Marmoush injured, Manchester City’s dynamic winger has been given an opportunity to make the left wing his own. He has seized that opportunity and, against Burnley at the Etihad yesterday, Doku helped lead his side to a 5-1 win.

On the left wing, Jeremy Doku was an attacking force against Burnley. He grabbed an assist for Erling Haaland’s first goal. The Belgian international also set up Manchester City’s first goal as his shot was saved by Martin Dubravka and was subsequently diverted into his own net by unlucky Burnley defender Maxime Estève in the 12th minute. From that moment onwards, Doku was a constant threat in the final third. Even as Manchester City weren’t at their best until the game’s final half-hour, Doku was Manchester City’s most dangerous attacking player. He always offered a threat and gave Kyle Walker and the Burnley defence a torrid time and showed that his game is going up a gear. That was pleasing to see at the Etihad yesterday.

Pep Guardiola had special praise for Jeremy Doku and his performance yesterday.

Speaking after yesterday’s match, Pep Guardiola reserved special praise for Jeremy Doku as a player. The Manchester City manager believes that Doku has improved as a player this season. Speaking on Doku’s dominance performance, Guardiola told the media: “I ask the wingers in the final third to go one v one. I have the feeling that Jeremy’s decision making in the final third has improved like – wow! – compared to the past.”

“Assists, goals, seeing the channels. He’s an incredible threat against teams with a low block – he’s really important.”

“When it is more transitional he can maybe struggle a little bit, but when they are in the box, he’s really good.”

“For example the second goal, when Jeremy went there, two or three opponents went.”

“When Jeremy is there, they send two or three because in the box one v one he is unstoppable.”

Summary.

Based on his past four matches,  Jeremy Doku has taken the next step as a player. He has always had the talent, but now it seems that his end product and overall consistency has markedly improved. Doku at his best is one of the most devastating wingers in the Premier League. Against Burnley he showed that at his best he can dominate a game. Doku’s performance against Burnley continued his strong run of recent form and it does indicate that he is growing and becoming an important player for Manchester City.