Are we witnessing the making and maturity of Jeremy Doku as a player? | OneFootball

Although he has come off the bench, Jeremy Doku has been an important part of Manchester City’s past wins over Everton and Aston Villa. Doku played an important role in Mateo Kovacic’s goal in City’s 2-nil win over Everton. He also set up City’s winner which was scored by Matheus Nunes in the 94th minute of their 2-1 win over Aston Villa. But there has been a maturity to Doku’s play in those two games. He’s picked his moments so are we now witnessing the making of Doku as a player? If his past two contributions are any indication perhaps we are.

Jeremy Doku has always been a dynamic winger. He’s the type of player who gets the crowd off their feet with his dribbling ability and speed. But for as dazzling as he can be his end product and decision-making can be frustrating. Given that the Belgian international is only 22 years of age that side of his game should develop. But against Everton and Aston Villa, there are signs that the dazzling winger is getting better at picking his moments.

Jeremy Doku’s piece of play to beat Axel Disasi was spellbinding. He left the Aston Villa defender in his wake. From there Doku picked out Matheus Nunes with a superb cross for Nunes to tap in at the back post. That’s the part of Doku’s game that has always needed to improve. In the moment that can be seen below, it was there. The hope is that it is a sign of things to come from the electrifying winger.

Pep Guardiola praises Jeremy Doku’s contribution to City’s win over Aston Villa.

Pep Guardiola had special praise for Jeremy Doku following his team’s win over Aston Villa. The City manager called him the best player in the world over the first 5 metres. In quotes relayed by CityXtra Guardiola had this to say about Jeremy Doku after his team’s win: “Jeremy always gives you something for the crowd and can change the game. Of course, he can play all of it. In the first three or four actions against [Axel] Disasi, he was being held by [Donyell] Malen, and he couldn’t do the action. But at the end, for me, Jeremy is the best player in the world in the first five metres – he’s unstoppable. He made the action and an incredible good cross and to score you have to be there.”

Jeremy Doku set up Manchester City’s winner against Aston Villa on Tuesday night. But as dazzling as his run was his cross was just as good. That’s what his game has lacked at times. The hope is that Doku is maturing as a player, and what was seen against Villa and during his substitute appearance against Everton becomes the norm for the Belgian international. There looks to be a maturity in Doku’s game now and we could be seeing the making of him as a player.