06 November 2023 , 06:22
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Manchester City have boasted some formidable wingers in recent years – Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez and Leroy Sane among them.
In Jeremy Doku, a £55million summer signing from Rennes, City have recruited another wide man capable of destroying opponents and almost single-handedly winning games.
Doku, 21, tormented Bournemouth with his quick feet and sharp brain, scoring the opener and producing four assists as champions City returned to the top of the Premier League.
Even City's Treble winners, who are used to playing alongside world-class talents, have been surprised at the speed and ease with which Doku has adapted to Pep Guardiola's high demands.
“He was fantastic,” said City midfielder Rodri. “Since the first one or two games he played here, he's evolved into the way we play.
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“I think we were quite surprised in this sense, because it’s not normal. He's young, he came from another league and he adapted. His strength maybe helped him, because this league is so physical. He's involved so much and is giving the team what it needs.
“We all know his ability to dribble, his power, his strength, and now he understands the game, the way we play. You could see that in the first goal. He faked his shot, he played with me, one, two touches and it was a great goal.
“I think he made four assists, which tells you about his ability, not only for scoring. He's learning a lot, he's young and he has the desire to keep growing. Now we have a player with this ability that, in the last years, we didn’t really have it, maybe not since Raheem or Leroy were here or Leroy, this kind of fast player on the side.
Jeremy Doku bagged five goal contributions in Manchester City's thumping win over Bournemouth (Visionhaus via Getty Images)“But you know that if you want to play here, you also have to be associated with the players and understand the game, so he did perfectly. He's a normal guy. He's always funny. He always wants to be involved in the team and I think it was a great signing for us.
“You see it when he celebrates. He’s always the same way in the changing room. He's a happy boy and everything is good for him, so I'm very proud of him.”
City – who host Young Boys in the Champions League on Tuesday night - have put their recent blip, which included successive league defeats to Wolves and Arsenal, firmly behind them, with Guardiola impressed by his squad's reaction.
“There are more important fixtures to be top, but it's true we're there,” said the City boss. “What pleased me the most is where we came from, still in training sessions and meetings, but with the approach to the game, everyone is there.
“Everyone is going to be involved and compete with each other. After 11 fixtures, we are top of the table and it means we're still consistent.”
Doku plundered City's first goal, then set Bernardo Silva up for the second. A Doku shot then deflected off Manuel Akanji for City's third. Belgium star Doku then set up Phil Foden and Silva for City's fourth and fifth goals, before Nathan Ake added the sixth against his former club.
City’s star striker Erling Haaland came off at half-time with an ankle injury and may not be risked tomorrow, to ensure he is fit for next weekend’s trip to Chelsea.
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