Manchester City might well have just spent £55.5m on Jeremy Doku, but supporters shouldn’t expect him to play much this season.
That’s according to football writer Sam Tighe, who believes that it’ll take time for the young winger to find his feet at the treble-winners.
City completed the signing of Doku from Stade Rennes this week, making him Pep Guardiola’s third signing of the summer.
The arrival of the 21-year-old means Guardiola now has multiple options on the right wing, with Bernardo Silva, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden all capable of playing the role.
Doku will need time
Doku has been brought in as a replacement for Riyad Mahrez, but according to Sam Tighe, he might not actually play much this season due to his style of play.
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“Remember the last time City recruited a free-spirited dribbler? It was Jack Grealish,” Tighe said on Sky Sports’ Transfer Talk podcast.
“He kind of spent a year in the wilderness didn’t he, learning the tactical system, learning how Guardiola asks you to press, learning your triggers.
“While he [Guardiola] doesn’t squeeze the creativity out of you, he certainly tries to make you understand how to play the game his way.
“It takes a bit of time, it takes longer for players like Doku and Grealish who are so off-the-cuff and so free.
“This isn’t a comment on Doku’s ability, but I would suggest that Doku won’t play much this season as he gets to grips with everything.
“He’ll have to learn how to press and he’ll have to learn the tactical system, because while City do often look free-flowing, they’re a pretty rigid side, everything is choreographed and you have to learn all of that before you get to play for them.”
After City confirmed Doku’s arrival on Thursday, the winger will be available for selection for City’s trip to Sheffield United on Sunday.