Pep Guardiola has so many wonderful players at his disposal at Manchester City, but pundit Craig Burley says he still isn’t wholly convinced by one of his big-money signings.
Manchester City got off to a great start in the Premier League at the weekend, beating Chelsea 2-0 on Sunday.
Erling Haaland and Mateo Kovacic were on target for the visitors, and it was a solid victory at Stamford Bridge despite some key players not starting.
One man do did get the nod from Pep was Jeremy Doku.
Doku had featured against Manchester United in the Community Shield the weekend before and did well enough to keep his place against Chelsea, with Jack Grealish named on the bench.
It was a bit of a mixed bag from Doku, although he did leave Gary Neville very impressed towards the end with one dribble he did.
But for pundit Craig Burley, the Belgian still has a lot to work on.
Craig Burley says Jeremy Doku must improve his end product for Man City
Doku joined City last summer for £55 million from Rennes.
It was a signing that excited many people, as he was coming in as a ‘non-typical’ Pep winger.
Doku is explosive, direct and dynamic, and it was going to be fascinating to watch him in a City shirt.
Doku did well in his first term. He scored seven goals and provided 11 assists in 43 appearances, and the winger could be fairly pleased with his contributions.
Against Chelsea, Doku played a part in the opening goal for City. But he also frustrated at times, picking the wrong options during promising attacks.
For Burnley, Doku has got to start becoming more consistent in the final third.
He said in a video for ESPN FC: “I think there’s an element you can teach him. About getting in the final third, picking your head up, being more poised, less rushed and playing the right pass. If that doesn’t happen, you’re sitting on the bench.
“Jeremy Doku is going to have to figure that out (improving his end product like Grealish did in his second season). He’s got the pace, he’s got the ability and he’s got the tricks. But he needs to pick out the final pass at the right time or score goals.
“I think there’s a big question mark about whether he can do that on a regular basis or not. At the moment, Jeremy Doku is a bit hit and miss.”
Burley went on to state that Doku’s potential to improve further could be dependent on Grealish, who is a direct rival to his teammate in terms of minutes.
Doku still developing
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Doku has the potential to frustrate, but we must remember he is still only 22.
Last season his numbers were decent for a first time in the Premier League and playing for a huge club that demands the highest standards.
But in order to reach the next level, Doku must find a bit more consistency.
When he does start to do that, then we will be talking about this player as one of the best wingers in the world, without a shadow of a doubt.
