11 | Jeremy Doku - 2024/25

Well, people have been vociferous about defending his performance, and it raised a doubt in my mind. I wondered if I hadn't been too harsh about his second half. So I've just watched it a second time.
Not a bit of it. I was not too harsh. He was downright poor. What you're all remembering is the first half, where he was good. He fashioned a decent chance for himself to shoot in the second half and put it straight at the keeper (he was not the only one to do that, to be fair). That's it.
The other thing that strikes me is that I have not been unduly harsh on Slovan either. I genuinely believe we have not met a poorer opponent since we got back into the CL (from the original European Cup and 68) under Mancini. They had two or three breaks, and thank God, they were awful at them.
Oh and just a word about the much-maligned Nunes, who quite a few seem to have decided they would bin off, forthwith. He put a pinpoint pass onto the head of Haaland which Erling really should have scored from (and he knew it) and a brilliant ball to the foot of Rico, which he also should have scored from (and he knew it). He does not impose himself physically, and although that's a weakness, it's all that some people are seeing.
Well-taken goal by Erling from a very sharp pass by Rico. The one real illumination of the half — James's goal. He will have done himself a world of good in Pep's eyes. Really, really pleased for him. When Pep brings someone young on for fifteen minutes and they seize their chance, he notices. I believe he'll get other chances. Lovely subtle dinked pass from Phil, as well, to create it.
 
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Not sure which Doku you have been watching, but I'm fairly certain he doesn't get in 10+ chances a game.

The other difference, is that in your scenario, he gives the ball away 50% of the time, where as the other person only gives it away 20% of the time.

I know which one Pep would prefer in the long term if he carries on at that rate.
I specifically said 10+ in a game like last night's. He created five chances last night (plus hit the bar with a shot). Look how many touches he had in the box. If he'd played every opportunity to pass/shoot correctly he would absolutely have created more than 10 chances in that game
 
Not sure why people moan so much about a player who is about the same age as McAtee and had about as many goal involvements last season as Grealish in his best season with us. No doubt he helped us win 4 in a row.

Doku is playing for the best team in the world and Pep starts him often. Weird folks. We are lucky to have him, Grealish + Savinho and Bobb.
 
If Doku created a chance every time he got in a dangerous position, he’d be creating 10+ chances in a game like last night’s. No one puts up those kind of numbers, not De Bruyne, not even Messsi. It’s just not realistic

Some players get in great positions five times a game and create four chances. Some players get in great positions 10 times a game and create five chances. Five chances is better than four
Imagine if he increased his volume even more. And with improved movement, effort and stamina he can.
 
Think this is quite a fair analysis of Doku


6:13 is clearly aimed at Rico. 6:46 Haaland is in no mans land. Some of these are overly critical but still good analysis.

For me however its less about decision making and more about being able to position yourself into more than just two goalscoring opportunities against a team like Slovan Bratislava. I get he wants to assist but to diversify will help his creativity too. Pep ball seems to be working against Doku in that regard.
 

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