11 | Jeremy Doku - 2025/26

based on that first goal - Any potential in trying him a bit more on the right hand side? With the way he skims defenders, it would certainly help his crossing and end product to be on his favorite foot
I don’t think it’s about left or right mate. It’s about him drifting centrally at times. If we get him one v one defenders struggle to get near him
 
I don’t think it’s about left or right mate. It’s about him drifting centrally at times. If we get him one v one defenders struggle to get near him
Last season, probably because of Rodri missing (and to an extent Walker), I felt we spent the entire season trying to develop a structure without him that didn't leave us totally open.

Part of the result was relying on bits of individual brilliance to create goals, rather than overloads and things that we used to do.

Which I think has to led to quite a lot of unfair criticism of both Doku and Savinho. By the time we got them the ball they basically had to try and beat two or three guys, than pick out one or two guys in a packed box. Mission impossible.

With Rodri back, and a bit the inclusion of Khusanov helping sniff counters, it maybe gives a bit more freedom and fluidity to the attacking players.

The centre of the pitch was their obvious weakness before the match begun, and allowing your most destructive players to play in that zone led to all our goals.
 
Am I the only one that didn't rate him? He had one brief moment of brilliance and a bit of luck, then in the second half every time he touched the ball he gave it away. He gave away the ball due to trying his flick on and turn at least 3 times the second half, and another 7+ needless turnovers. Savinho actually improved our ability to maintain possession after replacing him, which says a lot.
 
Am I the only one that didn't rate him? He had one brief moment of brilliance and a bit of luck, then in the second half every time he touched the ball he gave it away. He gave away the ball due to trying his flick on and turn at least 3 times the second half, and another 7+ needless turnovers. Savinho actually improved our ability to maintain possession after replacing him, which says a lot.
I'd imagine you are yes because he was fantastic. Brief moment if brilliance unlocked the entire game and swayed it heavily in our favour l, before that we had barely created a chance. He also laid one on a plate for reijnders very shortly after the first goal which should have been his second assist and what would have led to a hattrick of them. He also put in a huge shift down that side helping out O'reilly with the scums wing backs, he tired and his influence waned second half but he had already done his job by then.
 
Am I the only one that didn't rate him? He had one brief moment of brilliance and a bit of luck, then in the second half every time he touched the ball he gave it away. He gave away the ball due to trying his flick on and turn at least 3 times the second half, and another 7+ needless turnovers. Savinho actually improved our ability to maintain possession after replacing him, which says a lot.
Stevie Wonder....hi
 
Big thing for Doku now is, alright well done yesterday, but do it again… and again, and again, and again…

There were a few years where Sterling and Sané then Mahrez, at a rough estimate, would produce games at yesterday’s standard 7 out of every 10 times they stepped on the pitch. So far with Doku, it’s been about 7 games at that standard for us full stop in over two years.

I noted the other day that in 24 games [before yesterday] against United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea in his time with us so far, Doku had scored one goal (v Utd) and got one assist (v Spurs)… two goal contributions in twenty-four games and 0 goal contributions against Lpool, Arsenal and Chelsea yet.

Yesterday, he doubled that in one game.

Doku is 23 now, he has good PL experience and plays with the best striker in the world. Yesterday’s performance was really enjoyable, and he doesn’t necessarily have to do it at that standard immediately against Napoli and Arsenal, but play well in one of those (if selected) and very well in one of those (if selected) and then put in a few more performances at yesterday’s level in at least three of the games against Burnley Brentford Monaco and Everton (if selected)… and then maintain those standards across the season.

That’s what we need at this club. Being great once is great that one time, but let’s build consistency now.
 
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Needs to use the big game against them to propel himself and become more consistent. Still gave the ball away quite a bit yesterday, but I was just glad he was playing with confidence and trying things.

He looked relieved in the post-game, and that can only help him. I'm not his biggest fan by a long shot, but he was a joy to watch yesterday, and I hope it continues!
 
Needs to use the big game against them to propel himself and become more consistent. Still gave the ball away quite a bit yesterday, but I was just glad he was playing with confidence and trying things.

He looked relieved in the post-game, and that can only help him. I'm not his biggest fan by a long shot, but he was a joy to watch yesterday, and I hope it continues!
He only gave the ball away a bit late on. For an hour is use of the ball was probably the best i’ve seen from him. Giving the ball away will always happen anyway with the way he plays.

What he needs to keep being encouraged to do is drift inside like he did for the first goal. If we can get him one on one with centre halves he will absolutely skin the majority of them.
 
Big thing for Doku now is, alright well done yesterday, but do it again… and again, and again, and again…

There were a few years where Sterling and Sané then Mahrez, at a rough estimate, would produce games at yesterday’s standard 7 out of every 10 times they stepped on the pitch. So far with Doku, it’s been about 7 games at that standard for us full stop in over two years.

I noted the other day that in 24 games [before yesterday] against United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea in his time with us so far, Doku had scored one goal (v Utd) and got one assist (v Spurs)… two goal contributions in twenty-four games and 0 goal contributions against Lpool, Arsenal and Chelsea yet.

Yesterday, he doubled that in one game.

Doku is 23 now, he has good PL experience and plays with the best striker in the world. Yesterday’s performance was really enjoyable, and he doesn’t necessarily have to do it at that standard immediately against Napoli and Arsenal, but play well in one of those (if selected) and very well in one of those (if selected) and then put in a few more performances at yesterday’s level in at least three of the games against Burnley Brentford Monaco and Everton (if selected)… and then maintain those standards across the season.

That’s what we need at this club. Being great once is great that one time, but let’s build consistency now.

Can't remember a game vs United where Sterling or Sane contributed 2 assists or g/a.

Those stats you are mentioning don't take into account the chances Doku created. I remember a game vs Liverpool (1:1) where he created chances for Haaland and Alvarez but they missed them. I remember also that he won a pen at Spurs in the penultimate game of the season, Haaland scored for 2:0. Last season at Spus, Doku created at least 3 good chances, only one was scored.

Generally, he hasn't been as bad as your stats portray him. Plus, I posted his minutes per GA in the league last season: about the same as... Cole Palmer.

I think he needs a bit of freedom because when he runs at defenders from more central positions he can cause havoc just like yesterday.
 
Am I the only one that didn't rate him? He had one brief moment of brilliance and a bit of luck, then in the second half every time he touched the ball he gave it away. He gave away the ball due to trying his flick on and turn at least 3 times the second half, and another 7+ needless turnovers. Savinho actually improved our ability to maintain possession after replacing him, which says a lot.
Savinho certainly didnt improve anything when he came on and sulked
 

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