In the quarter-final second leg of the Champions League, in the space of 56 minutes on the pitch, Doku panicked the counters: no one attempted and succeeded in dribbling (11 out of 14), nor caused any fouls (three) than him. At Wembley, 34 minutes were enough for him in the Cup semi-final to once again be the player with the most successful dribbles (8 out of 11) and the most offensive duels won on the pitch (8).
C1: City's wet squib, despite the Doku match
The contrast with his lackluster entries during the summits against Liverpool (1-1, 21 minutes) and Arsenal (0-0, 29 minutes) was striking for a player who, in his last nine appearances, has only known three starts in the Cup against Newcastle and in the championship against Aston Villa and Luton, two matches where he was decisive. What hasn't happened to him in the Premier League since his festival against Bournemouth on November 4, he who was in the infirmary the whole month of December. And what slowly but surely also began to irritate Pep Guardiola, wary of this paradox.
“He was incredible against Real. He has reached a milestone. When he came after West Ham I was like 'oh my god, what an incredible player', and until his injury he was always on top. But every time he came off the bench, his impact was not good. He was good as a starter, less so coming from the benchexplained the Catalan after the victory over Chelsea. We talked about it, the impact he could have when players are more tired and he has that special quality one-on-one. He changed the game. Like against Madrid, creating a lot of chances. In one-on-one situations, Jérémy is an exceptional player, close to the surface. He is young and he still needs to improve in several areas but in the final third of the pitch he is extremely important for us.”
We had the case for years with the Devils with Dries Mertens.”
This use, justified by lower performance since his return from injury, is also part of a certain form of logic. “It's completely natural for a young person like Doku who has just arrivedsupports Xavier Chen who commented on Manchester City – Real Madrid for Pickx + Sports. I think there is undoubtedly a desire on Guardiola's part not to burn him out by continuing after a period where he was less decisive. It takes the pressure off him because there is nothing to do: when he comes in like that, he has nothing to lose. And obviously he has the typical profile of the joker to come in for 20 or 30 minutes against a breathless full-back like Carvajal. It makes sense. But he must expect more next season. Even if he really brings a lot to this role.”
Did Pep Guardiola make a mistake in letting Cole Palmer go for Jérémy Doku? City fans are unanimous
What Mario Innaurato, who was behind the DAZN-Eleven microphone during City – Chelsea confirms: “He has the characteristics not to come in but to decide the outcome of a match.” While also questioning the acceptance of this role of joker. “Because it’s always dangerous in a sense, explains the former Devils physical trainer. Players hate being told that they are doing very well in a match. For what ? Because that means they're not going to start many. It's always a bit cliché. We had the case for years with the Devils with Dries Mertens who was the player who entered the match very well for several reasons. And it's a bit the same thing with Doku. They are very lively players, with big personalities who dare on their first ball against a slightly tired opponent and who don't ask too many questions. Dries, like Doku, you can throw it at any time, it brings something. Especially since Jérémy has this double acceleration. He has some Eden Hazard in him. That's what impresses me the most. He's stopped and he's leaving. It's a bomb. And against a tired opponent, that does damage. But it's a bit simplistic to say that Doku is above all a very good replacement. No, he can also be a starter.”
He will still experience this role if he targets top teams.”
Which happens to him more rarely these days and could frustrate him. “How to accept this role? Chen asks. It depends who you are, what team you are on and who your coach is, Chen continues. For Doku, this is easy to accept. We take what we give you. He proved at the start of the season that he had his place. Afterwards, he is not someone who has a huge ego and he accepts this role because in any case, young or not, there is a lot of rotation in this team and everyone, with little with exceptions, is likely to be used in this way. There's no problem having him, especially being a difference maker like him. This gives confidence and is part of learning. He will still experience this role if he targets top teams.” And Dani Carvajal and Malo Gusto will not be the last to suffer against him.
