Manchester City fans’ excitement for the new season is growing after Pep Guardiola discovered a new ‘cheat code’ in the Club World Cup win over Juventus.
The Club World Cup couldn’t be going any better for Manchester City, who have already earned over £10m in prize money and have finished top of Group G.
Pep Guardiola’s side hammered Italian giants Juventus 5-2 on Thursday to set up a last 16 encounter with Joao Cancelo’s Al-Hilal.
Jeremy Doku was the star of the show as he scored the opener before goals from Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, Savinho and an own goal completed the rout.
City became the first team to win all three of their group stage games and fans are growing increasingly excited for the season to come as the Blues improve with every game.
The highlight of the match was the budding partnership between Doku and the impressive Rayan Ait-Nouri on the left, with supporters loving the partnership already.
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Man City fans already love Jeremy Doku and Rayan Ait-Nouri partnership
You’d be forgiven for thinking Doku and Ait-Nouri had played together a 1,000 times given the way they were linking up against Juventus but it was, in fact, their first start together.
The pair already seem to have a perfect understanding of where they need to be in relation to each other and where to play the ball between them. It was Ait-Nouri’s delicious pass that teed up Doku for his goal.
Doku claims his connection with Ait-Nouri is already strong and fans are in complete agreement.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one fan wrote: “This Ait-Nouri to Doku on the left side is going to be a PROBLEM. (Not for us though!).”
Another fan labelled the partnership as a cheat code, saying: “Credit where it’s due, Jeremy Doku should be first-choice LW when the season starts with how well he’s developed since the final bits of last season.
“Ait-Nouri linkup also seems like a cheat code, very promising signs.”
“Doku & Ait-Nouri on the left is scary. So excited for it,” one fan wrote while another jokingly claimed they are the reason Trent Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool: “Doku x Ait-Nouri just isn’t fair. Trent knew to run away.”
Another wrote: “Ait-Nouri and Doku on the left this season feels too unreal bruh,” while one fan added: “This Jeremy Doku and Rayan Ait-Nouri partnership is looking unbelievable.”
Jeremy Doku could have his best season yet for Man City
Doku has been a City player for two years now and, while there have been flashes of brilliance, he is yet to really shine at the Etihad Stadium.
34 goal contributions in 83 games isn’t the worst record but a player of his potential should be consistently effective in the final third and in big games.
Yet, his struggles at times are understandable. City have been playing without a proper left-back for a while, with centre-backs or midfielders being deployed there who can’t offer the best attacking support to him.
Ait-Nouri, however, completely changes that and could unlock the best out of Doku next season.
A genuine left-back with pace and composure, Ait-Nouri can support Doku by overlapping to give space inside or coming infield for a passing option. Just how he created the opening goal.
If their relationship continues to develop, it could be a very exciting season indeed.
