Pep Guardiola apologises to Manchester City forward for unfair treatment | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has addressed Jeremy Doku’s relative lack of playing time despite the forward’s heroics when called upon over the course of the current season.

Doku has struggled for a consistent look-in under Guardiola this season despite a promising debut year at the Etihad Stadium, having joined Manchester City from Ligue 1 club Rennes in the summer of 2023.

The 22-year-old has made 25 appearances in the Premier League this season, amassing just over 1,300 minutes – a figure that reflects Guardiola’s lack of trust in the pacey winger from the get-go and indicating Doku’s usage largely as an option to influence games from the bench.

Indeed, Doku has done what’s been asked of him and has many a time come off the bench to lead Manchester City over the line in crucial games this season, most recently setting up Matheus Nunes’ injury-time winner having come on as a substitute against Aston Villa last week.

Asked about Doku and why the forward has struggled for starts despite the form he’s been in recent months, Pep Guardiola issued an honest apology to the Belgian prior to Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday.

“When I say I’m unfair with Jeremy (Doku), it’s the truth because the action he’s done it, many times against Brighton, how many chances against Spurs that he helped (with),” said Guardiola in a press conference last week.

“He was the key player breaking that (losing run) and since – because we play a little different shape – he didn’t play much. He’s right when he said, ‘I want to play more’ – you’re right, you proved, especially with the ball (that) he can do it.”

Doku was again left on the bench and was only introduced when City held a two-goal lead over fellow Champions League hopefuls Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Sunday.