2 weeks ago
36
Manchester City forward Jeremy Doku is loving life at the minute on and off the pitch as he relishes his part in Pep Guardiola's attack
There may be a few more converting to religion if Jeremy Doku is anything to go by. The Manchester City winger has had an inspiring few months on the pitch that have coincided with his baptism.
“If I can be honest, today was for me already a victory," Doku told reporters after a starring role in the Manchester derby. “Why? Because I knew that after the game today I'm going to baptise myself, I'm going to be baptised.
"Maybe that's why I felt like I was pushed today. That's why I'm very happy with the performance as well.”
The performances did not let up afterwards and Doku has become the winger to beat at City. Savinho and Oscar Bobb have not been able to nudge themselves ahead of him and Omar Marmoush has it all to do as he returns from injury.
In the first two years of his City career Doku showed plenty of potential but there was never the consistency. Sometimes he looked best when starting, at others an impact off the bench against tired legs looked like the best bet.
He has started five of the last seven but even the two bench appearances have been impressive this season, showing an improvement in his ability to create goalscoring opportunities but also to read the games whenever he is put in them and work out what is best.
At his best, which he carried on for Belgium against Wales on Monday night, he is unplayable. And City are seeing a lot of his best right now.
A marriage to his partner between the Wales game and City's preparations for Everton may not seem ideal, but Doku can do whatever he likes right now because it feels like he has divine backing.
David Moyes will bring Everton to the Etihad on Saturday and knows only too well what Doku can do. He looked at signing the Belgian for West Ham a few years ago after coming up against him in a friendly, only to see him move to City and single-handedly turn round a game at the London Stadium for the Blues.
Another start is expected for the 23-year-old this weekend, and it feels like he is an automatic pick for the side in any important match. City have to be careful with a player who has suffered with regular injuries, but alongside Erling Haaland there is Doku setting the standard for everyone else to try to match.
How long that lasts will determine how long Doku can keep his new role as an essential part of the team. At the minute, his game is as strong as his faith.
---
Here at the Manchester Evening News, we’re dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester City coverage and analysis.
Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest City news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.
You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day’s biggest stories.
And finally, if you’d rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Talking City podcast. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.
English (US) ·