11 | Jeremy Doku - 2024/25

[shemnel]

i am begging for Doku to become consistent and dangerous, i really hope it works, but his standard footballing acumen is quite poor, e.g. square balls inside, crossing, tracking back. Needs to be a bit part player for another season, treated like a youth player really, but our squad/form doesnt seem to allow.

 

[Belgian Flash]

We CANNOT expect players to chip in and score goals when they never really have, poor recruitment.

Its not poor recruitment, its by design. The expectation is that goals are less distributed among the players now because Haaland is only there to finish moves. The problem arises in the connection between Doku and Haaland because Doku is a player who dribbles from the side and then squares it off or crosses, but Haaland is a player that wants through balls and that is not Doku's strength, same as getting on the end of crosses isn't Haaland's strength. You'd expect given the importance of this connection that Pep works on it, but he has clearly done squat to improve it.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

Its not poor recruitment, its by design. The expectation is that goals are less distributed among the players now because Haaland is only there to finish moves. The problem arises in the connection between Doku and Haaland because Doku is a player who dribbles from the side and then squares it off or crosses, but Haaland is a player that wants through balls and that is not Doku's strength, same as getting on the end of crosses isn't Haaland's strength. You'd expect given the importance of this connection that Pep works on it, but he has clearly done squat to improve it.

Pep made it clear at the start of last season that he wanted Doku to be effective on the right. He also started some early games this season with Doku on the right and Savinho on the left.

In at least one of those games Doku signalled that he wanted to move back onto the left at the first opportunity.

I think he wants traditional wingers to provide for his striker but Doku just isn't that guy at this point.

 

[mancity111]

Needs far more time and like many has had a hamstring injury that kept him out for a month that has meant its stop , start for him this season.

Unavailable for 66 games in the past 3 seasons plus also is a concern most of them from muscle tears.

If he isn't a regular starter by this time next season because of injury or form then I would be starting to ask questions about his tenure at the club but the jury is still out on him.

Can create an opening and with some better finishing has shown albeit not enough so far can score goals from distance something we really lack in the side at present.

 

[MichaelBBack]

As a Rennes fan who watched him a lot before he came to City, I repeatedly posted on here, whenever we were linked, that I didn't think he was a Pep player or a City player, in the slightest. And there were several former Rennes wingers I'd have rather seen at City before him, from Dembele to Raphinha.

Doku has always looked raw as fuck. Fast and tricky, but with little end product and not much of a tactical brain, based on some of the choices he makes with and without the ball.

That's why I was pretty astonished when we did actually sign him, but I remained hopeful and thought that, under Pep and surrounded by proper top class players to learn from, his rough edges might start rounding out and he'd learn much more about the tactical side of the game.

But, for now at least, he just hasn't. He's got wonderfully tricky feet and a fantastic burst of pace, but he so often goes down dead ends, gives it away incredibly cheaply, and doesn't contribute enough going back. If you took his trickery, pace, and long shots, and combined it with Grealish's composure and work rate all over the pitch, you might start to have the foundings of a proper top end winger. But that's the story of our whole squad at the minute, to be honest, too many players who just feel like bit parts, not enough "full packages" for a team of our standing.

Still time for him to come good, of course, but I have seen the same inconsistencies and issues in his game for so long now, I do wonder if it'll ever "click" for him or not.

 

[Blue and true]

Needs to receive the ball 100 times a match to produce anything telling. Ultimately, he isn't good enough.

 

[SiMCFC]

He's a prospect, nothing more nothing less, would be nowhere near the starting 11 at any other 'Big' Club imo.

 

[goatfeeder100]

Must be a nightmare to play with as a centre fwd. Never, ever have any clue when the ball is coming into the box with this guy. Other than having an explosive bit of pace from a standing position I'm still not seeing what this guy offers this team. Just too erratic.

 

[Damien10]

I have defended him on many occasions but yesterday he was awful. He fell over time and time again.

However what else do we have for now. We should be playing him and Savio in preparation for next season. Let’s see if they can find form. If not then the club need to be looking at alternatives.

Both suffer horribly when it comes to a good run of games to showcase if they truly have it or not.

 

[supercity88]

A young player who we shouldn't be relying on at this stage but injuries and a lack of investment have forced us to. He's inconsistent and we need our young players to deliver as our older players clearly have lost it. We need to bring in additional talent to drive the standards from the likes of Doku. So he knows, perform like that and he's out the side. It's harsh but it's how we got to where we did. One mistake and you're on the bench, no excuses. You deliver with the ball and you work your arse off without it. That goes for everyone, no passengers.