Jeremy Doku admits Manchester City teammate “sometimes struggles when people criticise him” | OneFootball

Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku has leapt to the defence of teammate Phil Foden, admitting that the England international has struggled with public criticism of his performances.

Doku and Foden starred as City returned to winning ways with a much-needed 3-0 derby demolition of Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, with the former setting up the latter for the opener after 18 minutes.

City entered the interval with a slim one-goal advantage but Erling Haaland dinked the ball over Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir after 53 minutes to double the hosts’ cushion, with Foden again involved in setting up Doku, who found Haaland with a delicate pass behind the United backline.

As City underwent their most challenging season under Pep Guardiola last year, Doku and Foden suffered their fair shares of criticism as the former failed to match the goal contribution tally expected of a Premier League forward – and the latter playing like a shadow of the academy graduate who spearheaded City to the Premier League title in 2024.

Foden has admitted to mental and physical issues in the last 12 months derailing him from producing his best form, with Guardiola empathising with the 25-year-old and repeatedly reminding the Stockport-born attacker in press conferences that Manchester City need him at his best to return to their best.

Doku impressed in his debut season at the Etihad Stadium after joining from Rennes for £55.5 million in 2023, with the Belgian setting up Foden for the Englishman’s second goal in City’s title-winning Premier League victory over West Ham on the final day of the 2023-24 season.

However, Manchester City’s over-reliance on Erling Haaland in front of goal – especially since Julian Alvarez’s £82 million switch to Atletico Madrid last summer – has put Guardiola’s wide attackers in the spotlight to carry their weight in terms of direct goal contributions.

From Jack Grealish to Savinho to Doku, City’s wingers have failed to match the standards set by the likes of Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane and Riyad Mahrez in terms of output in front of goal over the years, prompting City to sign Omar Marmoush in January to alleviate the burden on Haaland’s capable, yet limited shoulders.

However, with the forward pair starring in the Manchester derby, Doku leapt to the defence of Foden whilst admitting that the England international has often let social media criticism of his performances affect him in the last 12 months.

“Phil Foden is a lovely guy. I know sometimes he struggles when people criticise him,” Doku said after City’s 3-0 derby win on Sunday, as quoted by Guardian Sport’s Jamie Jackson.

“Football isn’t easy and he (Foden) showed, again; talent-wise you can’t say a word about him. I’m very happy for him, I know his qualities and he will show everyone. I have no doubt. I’m very happy, he deserves it.”

Doku and Foden have made strong cases to retain their starting position in the Manchester City starting XI but a midweek UEFA Champions League group-stage opener against Kevin De Bruyne and Napoli could see Guardiola make several changes to his lineup ahead of this weekend’s monumental Premier League meeting with title rivals Arsenal.