A game-breaking cameo against Southampton further illustrated the growth of a Manchester City winger | OneFootball

However the 2025-26 season ends for Manchester City, there have been a host of positives to emerge from this season for the club. It has become clear across this season that this new-look City side will be a force in the coming seasons. Also, a host of players have taken the next step as players. One of those has been Jeremy Doku. The Belgian winger has taken the step from being a talented, but at times frustrating, winger to become a vital component of this City side. This was on full display last Saturday as Doku’s game-breaking appearance off the bench turned last weekend’s FA Cup semi-final in Manchester City’s favor. Doku’s display helped City pick up a 2-1 win as he tormented a tired Southampton defence.

Everything that makes Jeremy Doku so damaging stood out against Southampton.

Pep Guardiola made two key substitutions in the 58th minute of last Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Southampton at Wembley. He took off Phil Foden and Mateo Kovacic and replaced them with Savinho and Jeremy Doku. Jeremy Doku, in particular, made a match-winning impact on last Saturday’s match.

Doku tormented a tired Southampton defense from the moment he came onto the pitch at Wembley. He completed 11 of 14 dribbles, and a weary Southampton defense couldn’t contain him. His ability to carry the ball kept Southampton pinned deep in their own half. Doku’s pace and trickery in possession were superb. However, all of that wasn’t Doku’s most telling impact on last Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final.

Southampton took a shock 1-0 lead in the 79th minute of last Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final. Finn Azaz scored a 20 yard wonder goal to give Tonda Eckert’s side hope of a famous upset. However, their lead would onky last three minutes. Jeremy Doku would equalize for Manchester City when his deflected strike beat Southampton keeper Daniel Peretz in the 82nd minute. It was also Doku’s pass that found Nico to win the match for City with his thunderbolt from 30 yards out in the 87th minute at Wembley.

Manchester City needed a game-breaker against Southampton last weekend, it was Jeremy Doku who broke the match wide open for Pep Guardiola’s side at Wembley.

Jeremy Doku is now a key player for Manchester City.

This season has been a huge tick for the growth of Jeremy Doku as a player. He has taken the next step and become a key player for Manchester City. His performance off the bench last weekend against Southampton was the perfect encapsulation of this.

Jeremy Doku still has areas of his game to improve. The Belgian international does need to become a more consistent goal scorer. If he adds this to his game, he’ll be one of the top wingers in world football. Based on how much Doku has improved this season, he may well take that leap next season. If he does, he’ll go from being a key player at Manchester City to being even more important for Pep Guardiola’s side.