11 | Jeremy Doku - 2024/25

[TonyM]

We need central midfielders to arrive into the box to be on the end of a winger's cross. We have the players imo but they aren't doing it.

We are too slow. Our attack is too predictable. We are lazy minded everywhere.

There is not much wrong with our players imo as a group. It's our lack of tactical leadership, inventiveness and motivation that is choking us.

Pep should have sorted out a style of play by now that was ideal for Grealish, Doku, Savinho, Nunes, Gundogan, Marmoush, Foden, Haaland, etc.

Him sticking with our slow pace style is very disappointing. So much talent is going to waste... including Doku.

 

[eastmanc]

I much prefer Doku to someone like Sane who had amazing stats and helped us win trophies but all those fans can’t be wrong about his attitude.we should be grateful Doku has such amazing body language. Doesn’t matter that Sane was streets ahead ant same age Leroy didn’t griddy either.

Can't agree with you there. Sane was a far superior player.

 

[franksinatra]

We need central midfielders to arrive into the box to be on the end of a winger's cross. We have the players imo but they aren't doing it.

We are too slow. Our attack is too predictable. We are lazy minded everywhere.

There is not much wrong with our players imo as a group. It's our lack of tactical leadership, inventiveness and motivation that is choking us.

Pep should have sorted out a style of play by now that was ideal for Grealish, Doku, Savinho, Nunes, Gundogan, Marmoush, Foden, Haaland, etc.

Him sticking with our slow pace style is very disappointing. So much talent is going to waste... including Doku.

It’s a very good point this. There is some valid criticism of both our wingers, they do not score enough and there final pass can be wayward.

But I think just as bigger an issue is the way we play and our the type of players have.

The slow build up negates a lot of Doku’s talent as we rarely break quickly and, if we do our midfield does not have either the physicality or inclination to attack the box so often the wingers have limited options to make the last pass to. Case in point was Baleba’s run on Saturday, something we never see.

This is further compounded by both wingers also not wishing to make up the numbers. The days of Sane breaking and Sterling attacking the box or visa versa has long gone. Doku won’t attack the box to create another option for Savinho and Savinho won’t for Doku either. It’s why we have so few attacking threats, which is further compounded when teams adopt a low block. It’s often impossible to thread the ball to our lone striker. This again leads to the lack of cutting edge.

 

[Craig]

Let's hope so, but I can't think of any top class winger who plays the game the way he does.

Most of the top class wingers have incredible technical ability; the ones like Doku tend to play for the mid/lower table teams, and that's just a matter of fact I'm not trying to dig him out any further.

Can’t think of many wingers about with Doku’s natural ability to be honest. The Traore comparisons are nonsense apart from lack of end product. Traore has no skill whatsoever to with.Where as Doku has bundles of natural talent

 

[franksinatra]

Can’t think of many wingers about with Doku’s natural ability to be honest. The Traore comparisons are nonsense apart from lack of end product. Traore has no skill whatsoever to with.Where as Doku has bundles of natural talent

I think Olise would have fitted perfectly in our side. He would be one example

 

[Craig]

It’s a very good point this. There is some valid criticism of both our wingers, they do not score enough and there final pass can be wayward.

But I think just as bigger an issue is the way we play and our the type of players have.

The slow build up negates a lot of Doku’s talent as we rarely break quickly and, if we do our midfield does not have either the physicality or inclination to attack the box so often the wingers have limited options to make the last pass to. Case in point was Baleba’s run on Saturday, something we never see.

This is further compounded by both wingers also not wishing to make up the numbers. The days of Sane breaking and Sterling attacking the box or visa versa has long gone. Doku won’t attack the box to create another option for Savinho and Savinho won’t for Doku either. It’s why we have so few attacking threats, which is further compounded when teams adopt a low block. It’s often impossible to thread the ball to our lone striker. This again leads to the lack of cutting edge.

Yeah, agree about them both not attacking the box. Was very noticeable Saturday that the other one never attacks the back post. Seems strange it’s not been drilled into them as it took Sterling’s goal return to another level. Not as if the one without the ball then drops back for if we lose it in those situations either

 

[franksinatra]

Yeah, agree about them both not attacking the box. Was very noticeable Saturday that the other one never attacks the back post. Seems strange it’s not been drilled into them as it took Sterling’s goal return to another level. Not as if the one without the ball then drops back for if we lose it in those situations either

Yes it’s difficult to understand particularly as the midfield don’t bust a gut to make up any additional options. Feels at times, with the slow build up, playing not making up the numbers in the box we’re playing with the handbrake on.

 

[Columbia]

We need central midfielders to arrive into the box to be on the end of a winger's cross. We have the players imo but they aren't doing it.

We are too slow. Our attack is too predictable. We are lazy minded everywhere.

There is not much wrong with our players imo as a group. It's our lack of tactical leadership, inventiveness and motivation that is choking us.

Pep should have sorted out a style of play by now that was ideal for Grealish, Doku, Savinho, Nunes, Gundogan, Marmoush, Foden, Haaland, etc.

Him sticking with our slow pace style is very disappointing. So much talent is going to waste... including Doku.

Problem is for our central midfielders to arrive in the box they need about a 30 minute head start, 45 if it’s Gundo.

 

[GaudinoMotors]

Would benefit a ton from an overlapping full back.

But unfortunately, sometimes the full back needs help from an overlapping winger.

 

[chris85mcfc]

Can’t think of many wingers about with Doku’s natural ability to be honest. The Traore comparisons are nonsense apart from lack of end product. Traore has no skill whatsoever to with.Where as Doku has bundles of natural talent

The Traore comparisons come from the ease in which he goes past players, but then ultimately feeling as though the end product isn't going to be there most of the time.

The issue Doku has, is that he's 2 years into his time here and not a lot has changed. The goal he scored on his debut at WHU last season got everyone excited, but that hasn't happened often enough.

12 goals and 17 assists in 80 games isn't too bad on the face of it for a 22 year old, but he's got a lot of improving to do on his all round game if he's to be a regular; or should I say, if we are to continue to compete for the major trophies in the next 5 years.

 

[hammersmithlad]

We need central midfielders to arrive into the box to be on the end of a winger's cross. We have the players imo but they aren't doing it.

We are too slow. Our attack is too predictable. We are lazy minded everywhere.

There is not much wrong with our players imo as a group. It's our lack of tactical leadership, inventiveness and motivation that is choking us.

Pep should have sorted out a style of play by now that was ideal for Grealish, Doku, Savinho, Nunes, Gundogan, Marmoush, Foden, Haaland, etc.

Him sticking with our slow pace style is very disappointing. So much talent is going to waste... including Doku.

Was at the game on Saturday & controversially I actually thought Doku was one of our better players on the day.

Single-handedly took on the entire Brighton backline & even with some attempted rugby tackles couldn't get the ball off him. His upper body strength to hold off some robust challenges was immense & you could tell their defenders almost gave up as the game progressed & ended up simply trying to hack him down.

His lack of end-product of course is an issue well documented especially on BM. However, I do think its not all down to him. The coaching of the team doesn't seem to really benefit him currently where he will beat a couple of players look up to find only one player, most likely Haaland waiting back post. Infuriating to not see more of our players gambling to get into the box & give Doku something to realistically aim for.

Youth is on his side & I'm sure we didn't buy him thinking he's the finished article. Doku definitely isn't one of those players who's going to ping a ball right on the money & yes at times he has his head down rather than playing the simple ball earlier. Plus, he really needs to work on his stamina in tracking back to help out Gvardiol who isn't the best defender one on one. But he really isn't helped out by the rest of the team & lets be honest he's currently more effective in a poor season than Bernie picking up the ball on the wing, going in a circle & eventually passing back!

 

[BillyShears]

After almost two complete seasons in our side, Doku is pretty much the same player we signed two years ago. Zero improvement.

Doku is quick, able to beat almost any defender on the dribble and gets into very dangerous spots on a consistent basis. From there - his end product is frankly awful. He simply cannot produce a consistent shot on goal or a consistent pass to one of our teammates.

It's possible that Doku could magically improve his scoring/assisting stats - but after 2 years this seems unlikely.

I personally would shy away from making sweeping generalisations about a 22 year old playing in a pretty dysfunctional team.

For example, would Jeremy Doku/Savinho look like better players and have better numbers if they were being played into space by prime David Silva/KDB as Sterling and Sane so often were? I suspect they would.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that Doku is going to end up like Mo Salah, but I don't think Ousmane Dembele is a terrible comparison. Wingers tend to peak at different ages, and in general the idea that a 22 year old playing under Pep won't improve seems far fetched to me. Especially if Pep's going to pick him regularly.

 

[BillyShears]

Is he dangerous though?

Who was the last winger who was banging them in and setting goals up for fun in this City team? We've not had numbers from wide areas for quite a number of years now. I'm not saying that we don't need to see an improvement in goal involvements from all our wide players, because we absolutely do. But I'm surprised that in this moment when Doku is getting picked in every game, and has benched Grealish for good and ensured Marmoush only plays centrally, that now people are convinced he's not good enough.

My money is on the fact that Pep's picking him because he trusts him and thinks he's good enough.

 

[HelloCity]

Who was the last winger who was banging them in and setting goals up for fun in this City team? We've not had numbers from wide areas for quite a number of years now. I'm not saying that we don't need to see an improvement in goal involvements from all our wide players, because we absolutely do. But I'm surprised that in this moment when Doku is getting picked in every game, and has benched Grealish for good and ensured Marmoush only plays centrally, that now people are convinced he's not good enough.

My money is on the fact that Pep's picking him because he trusts him and thinks he's good enough.

Doku or Savinho don't currently start for any top side in the world.

It's true that other players don't always bang them in but I'd argue they were by far technically superior and played a much bigger role in the 'machine' so to speak.

By comparison, Doku and Savinho are much more direct players and you're looking for them to get a decent tally of goals (10+) and assists (10+). I think it's an issue that Doku, especially in his 2nd season, doesn't even look like being a regular scorer. It's not like you leave a game thinking 'with a bit of luck he could have had a couple of goals there - how unlucky'.

I don't think we can go with 'Pep thinks he's good enough' either. He's playing because there are limited choices available. The same way Rico Lewis plays at right back because there isn't anyone else good enough to take the spot.

Now, these comments shouldn't be seen as a blanket disregard of these players (Doku and Savinho). They're young and have decent potential, but if we're judging right now then they're still absolutely far away from being regular starters for a team which wins the league title. If we think they absolutely will be top class in the future then people need to be bite their lips and accept we're a team in transition and not be so outraged when we lose or draw.

 

[BillyShears]

Doku or Savinho don't currently start for any top side in the world.

It's true that other players don't always bang them in but I'd argue they were by far technically superior and played a much bigger role in the 'machine' so to speak.

By comparison, Doku and Savinho are much more direct players and you're looking for them to get a decent tally of goals (10+) and assists (10+). I think it's an issue that Doku, especially in his 2nd season, doesn't even look like being a regular scorer. It's not like you leave a game thinking 'with a bit of luck he could have had a couple of goals there - how unlucky'.

I don't think we can go with 'Pep thinks he's good enough' either. He's playing because there are limited choices available. The same way Rico Lewis plays at right back because there isn't anyone else good enough to take the spot.

Now, these comments shouldn't be seen as a blanket disregard of these players (Doku and Savinho). They're young and have decent potential, but if we're judging right now then they're still absolutely far away from being regular starters for a team which wins the league title. If we think they absolutely will be top class in the future then people need to be bite their lips and accept we're a team in transition and not be so outraged when we lose or draw.

There are two options for right back IMO, Lewis and Nunes. Especially with Akanji and Stones out injured.

By comparison this season alone Doku, Savinho, Foden, Grealish, and Marmoush have all played on the left wing for City. So I'm not sure that your comparison stands up to scrutiny. Especially when Grealish/Foden/Marmoush have all at various times been fit and on the bench whilst Doku has been picked by Pep.

Granted Mahrez and Leroy Sane were much more technical than Doku is. But equally, Sterling was way less technical than Doku and was consistently lambasted despite delivering insane numbers. I agree with a lot of what you've said in your last paragraph. I'd argue that Doku starts for Liverpool ahead of Luis Diaz or Cody Gakpo, but I understand others will disagree. I certainly think Doku starts ahead of Martinelli or Trossard at Arsenal. Won't start for Bayern for sure, nor Real Madrid as they have Vinicius who is a few years older and more developed. Think he'd start for all the teams in Serie A and same across the French and Dutch leagues with the exception of PSG.

The overarching point you make about us being a team in transition this season is true and in terms of where Doku/Savinho fit, I'd argue that next season they'll play plenty of football in a much better version of this City team. How they develop is anyone's guess, but right now they're both in possession of the shirt ahead of more experienced, and more technical players.

 

[Bobby the blue]

I genuinely think he has the potential to be a top class winger. I’d give him a bash at going on the right wing for a bit though as he’s very weak with his left when crossing.

Would like to see proper old school wingers going down the line and whipping them in.

 

[warringtonblue]

Who was the last winger who was banging them in and setting goals up for fun in this City team? We've not had numbers from wide areas for quite a number of years now. I'm not saying that we don't need to see an improvement in goal involvements from all our wide players, because we absolutely do. But I'm surprised that in this moment when Doku is getting picked in every game, and has benched Grealish for good and ensured Marmoush only plays centrally, that now people are convinced he's not good enough.

My money is on the fact that Pep's picking him because he trusts him and thinks he's good enough.

Mahrez

 

[HelloCity]

There are two options for right back IMO, Lewis and Nunes. Especially with Akanji and Stones out injured.

By comparison this season alone Doku, Savinho, Foden, Grealish, and Marmoush have all played on the left wing for City. So I'm not sure that your comparison stands up to scrutiny. Especially when Grealish/Foden/Marmoush have all at various times been fit and on the bench whilst Doku has been picked by Pep.

Granted Mahrez and Leroy Sane were much more technical than Doku is. But equally, Sterling was way less technical than Doku and was consistently lambasted despite delivering insane numbers. I agree with a lot of what you've said in your last paragraph. I'd argue that Doku starts for Liverpool ahead of Luis Diaz or Cody Gakpo, but I understand others will disagree. I certainly think Doku starts ahead of Martinelli or Trossard at Arsenal. Won't start for Bayern for sure, nor Real Madrid as they have Vinicius who is a few years older and more developed. Think he'd start for all the teams in Serie A and same across the French and Dutch leagues with the exception of PSG.

The overarching point you make about us being a team in transition this season is true and in terms of where Doku/Savinho fit, I'd argue that next season they'll play plenty of football in a much better version of this City team. How they develop is anyone's guess, but right now they're both in possession of the shirt ahead of more experienced, and more technical players.

Obviously everyone will have their personal opinion on performance and ability but I think Diaz and Gakpo have both been better than Doku this season. I also think a player like Gordon is currently a level or two above both Doku and Savinho as well.

Ideally for me Doku and Savinho would have done an ‘apprenticeship’ for 2-3 seasons as back ups & during that period grown into the team gradually.

Unfortunately underperformance from players like Grealish, and even Bernardo and Foden in those wide areas, has seen them hot shotted straight into being regular starters.

I still think they’re another season or two from being potentially ready to lead a league winning forward line.

 

[Blue_Lightsaber]

After almost two complete seasons in our side, Doku is pretty much the same player we signed two years ago. Zero improvement.

Doku is quick, able to beat almost any defender on the dribble and gets into very dangerous spots on a consistent basis. From there - his end product is frankly awful. He simply cannot produce a consistent shot on goal or a consistent pass to one of our teammates.

It's possible that Doku could magically improve his scoring/assisting stats - but after 2 years this seems unlikely.

Have we ever asked why our wingers wait to recycle the ball and then want to take on all 11 defensive players and then pass it along the ground so their passes find shins and heels instead of our players?

Just something I've noticed.. because people look back fondly on Sane/ Sterling/ Kun Aguero but a lot of our goals were in transition.. we'd catch other teams with their pants down before they were set and often we'd not be afraid to pass crosses into the box for Aguero to head them in.

Currently the only person who seems to try do airborne crosses is KDB and Nunes. Everyone else seems to be trying to lay passes on the ground. Wonder if it's being coached to them.. as I've even seen Nunes try to cross it and then change his mind and pass it backwards.

 

[VinceYoungisaBLUE]

Raw skill and certainly useful but my god he looks like fucking Micah Richards trying to cross a ball...

Is this not a skill someone can learn? You'd think after he got really good at everything else he'd focus on crossing but it seems to have eluded him. TBF though we've never crossed the ball a lot, even with Dzeko where it would have made a lot of sense.