11 | Jeremy Doku - 2025/26

That inside role gives him more options, if he's having a rough day against the full back, let O'Reilly push on and match up against the defensive mid or centre back instead.

Played well yesterday.
 
It's a great option for him inside uses his dribbling and decent passing but takes away his less good crossing, Nico in the overlap or probably RAN can do that very well and Nico really motors in an effortless kind of way.
 
I wonder if Pep moved him to the center because he realized his pace has declined for the wing. What I've seen in recent games is concerning. Couldn't get past the Everton, Villareal, Swansea and now Bournemouth fullbacks. Compare him to this version and there is a noticable difference in the speed and directnes:






At some point yesterday Ruben was telling him he needs to move his ass instead of just standing in the middle and waiting for the ball. Seriously, not a single run behind space with that high of a line for a forward is embarassing.
 
Belgian Flash said:
I wonder if Pep moved him to the center because he realized his pace has declined for the wing. What I've seen in recent games is concerning. Couldn't get past the Everton, Villareal, Swansea and now Bournemouth fullbacks. Compare him to this version and there is a noticable difference in the speed and directnes:






At some point yesterday Ruben was telling him he needs to move his ass instead of just standing in the middle and waiting for the ball. Seriously, not a single run behind space with that high of a line for a forward is embarassing.
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Well, he had a very good first half whilst playing more centrally and should have had 2 very good assists.He played more centrally as it was a tactic Pep used (not with Doku) very effectively at home to Bournemouth last season where he flooded the middle of the park.

In Doku’s case whenever he’s been able to drift in games this season he looks far better. As he can beat players with ease and look to play a pass. Where as out wide it’s easier for teams to double up. Plus usually by the time he gets it teams have packed the box and there isn’t much for him to hit when he gets to the byline on a very limited left foot.
 
Craig said:
Well, he had a very good first half whilst playing more centrally and should have had 2 very good assists.He played more centrally as it was a tactic Pep used (not with Doku) very effectively at home to Bournemouth last season where he flooded the middle of the park.

In Doku’s case whenever he’s been able to drift in games this season he looks far better. As he can beat players with ease and look to play a pass. Where as out wide it’s easier for teams to double up. Plus usually by the time he gets it teams have packed the box and there isn’t much for him to hit when he gets to the byline on a very limited left foot.
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To be honest I think his weak foot is much better than most other players weak foot. Not ambidextrous by any means but quote solid, unlike say Savinho, Bobb or even Haaland.

He makes quick decisions in small spaces when hes forced to rely on his instincts. But this ability and Pep's tactics made him really regress in terms of playing the open field football that a world class professional football must be able to play, and the abilities that come with it. Long passing, off ball running, hustle. He played like this when he arrived, and before at Rennes. Now hes this half or quarter pitch player that just looks to use his burst, but hes becoming increasingly specialized and losing the attributes that had the potential to make him genuinely world class.
 
Arguably, Doku was our best player in the first half yesterday (Haaland aside): he created the most chances and won the most duels in that half. Not his fault Erling and Nico failed to score from two great chances he created.

I expect a good performance vs Liverpool. They don't have a top RB now and may play Sloboszlai there.
 
Belgian Flash said:
I love him but I can be objective. Its weird because I think he can be so much better if he applies himself more. I wonder how Pep and his teammates don't have a go at him for being so languid all the time. The man literally made zero off the ball runs today. Even one time there was Haaland running with the ball in the middle, he was on the left with all the space in the world just jogging.
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I honestly don't see him getting to that consistent world-class level at City. The likes of Sterling, Mahrez and Sane.
 
Thought he was great yesterday and he’s pulled well ahead of Sav and Bobb if there’s one place for a winger type player in the starting 11
 
WallyA said:
Doku in the pockets does things to me.

He should never be shackled to a pure touchline winger anymore.
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He shouldn't because he has no off ball movement whatsoever. I saw a comment on Twitter saying post-baptism Doku seems to have understood "walking the path of Jesus" quite literally. I wonder if there are stats for distance covered for this match. I think only Donnarumma must have had less.

But his vision and decision making has indeed improved, not to that degree that he can afford to be this static, but still at least hes not a liability.
 
Blue-Ghana said:
He is a decent passer with his right foot; he is wasted on the left. Should play either on the right or in a free role.
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He hasn’t got the footballing intelligence, stamina, ability or awareness to play a free role. He just doesn’t work hard enough.

I agree that he is wasted on the left though because he can beat his man whenever he wants to. It’s the bit after that that is concerning for me. He has improved this season but for me that wasn’t hard for him to do at all.

I hope he proves me wrong but I don’t think he’s anywhere near good enough looking at his overall game to have any sort of longevity at a club that wants to challenge for titles.
 
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