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Pep Guardiola humorously attributes Jeremy Doku’s impressive development this season to ‘the manager’ as his team gears up to face Brentford.
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Manchester City’s manager expressed satisfaction over Doku’s enhanced productivity this season.
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Doku has netted 14 goals across all competitions this season, highlighted by a two-goal performance in the thrilling 3-3 match against Everton.
Pep Guardiola has humorously explained the reasons behind Jeremy Doku’s remarkable improvement this season.
Doku has emerged as a key player in the Premier League, with seven goals and 14 assists for Manchester City as they chase a domestic treble in the final weeks of the campaign.
His standout performance, including a spectacular equalizer in the dying moments of the 3-3 draw against Everton, showcased a consistency that was previously missing in his first two seasons at the Etihad.
Jeremy Doku rallies his team ahead of Manchester City’s crucial Premier League finale.
During a press conference prior to Saturday’s home game against Brentford, Guardiola showcased his characteristic humor while addressing Doku’s progress.
Guardiola: When they excel, it’s thanks to the manager!
Guardiola began with a lighthearted remark, but soon conveyed his genuine appreciation for Doku’s growth.
“The manager, of course!” he quipped. “When players perform well, it’s thanks to the manager. When they don’t, it’s their fault. I’m really pleased!
“I’m thrilled he has taken his game to the next level and understands that, as a winger, he needs to score and contribute, not just focus on individual duels. Jeremy has been exceptional this season!”
Amid the humor lies an important truth. Guardiola’s emphasis on Doku recognizing his role’s impact beyond mere one-on-one battles indicates a significant tactical and mental growth throughout the season.
Manchester City’s captain Bernardo Silva mirrored this sentiment after the Everton match, praising Doku as “very, very good” and noting his high self-expectations in training. Together, this paints a picture of a player who is taking control of his development, suggesting his best performances are still on the horizon.
Bernardo Silva praises Doku as “very, very good” following Manchester City’s slip-up in the title race against Arsenal.
How Doku’s season has unfolded at City
Prior to this season, doubts lingered about Doku’s final product, despite his evident talent in one-on-one scenarios. Guardiola’s remarks reaffirm that these doubts have been addressed, and that the 23-year-old has consciously evolved his approach as a winger.
His thrilling last-minute equalizer against Everton exemplified this growth—showcasing a composed, technically skillful finish when it mattered most, highlighting his evolution from simply being an athlete to a complete footballer.
Doku himself expressed that the draw “feels painful”, but expressed determination to keep fighting—a sentiment that, like his performances this season, carries more weight than before.