The enigma that is Jeremy Doku continues to dazzle and frustrate

Manchester City cruised past Slovan Bratislava last night with a 4-nil win. The world champions picked up their first win in this season’s Champions League league phase off the back of a dominant performance. Last night’s game featured several dominant performances from a host of City’s players. One of those was Jeremy Doku. The best and worst of his game were on full display last night.

First of all, it has to be said that Jeremy Doku was a constant threat to the Slovan Bratislava defence. He was heavily involved in City’s attacking play and tormented the hosts. Some of his link up play with Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden and Rico Lewis was superb. Playing on the right wing last night, Doku was able to show the best of his game against an opponent who was well and truly overwhelmed. As seen below in statistics courtesy of OptaJoe has 26 touches in Slovan Bratislava’s box. It was the most ever recorded by a player since the 2008/9 season. Doku played arguably his best game of last season. He picked up an assist in a dominant display. That is the good from Doku’s game last night.

But there is another side to Doku’s game that frustrates that was on display last night. For as good as he was his end product can flatter to deceive. While he had no problem getting into dangerous positions his final delivery was wayward. Too many times last night, a cross from Doku was either overhit or failed to beat the first defender. If Jeremy Doku can improve that part of his game he could become one of the most dominant wide men in world football. There’s no reason that, in time, that part of his game won’t develop. He is still only young and still improving.

But for now, Jeremy Doku remains an enigma. His best is brilliant, and his worst is frustrating. But that is the package that is Jeremy Doku. He was brilliant last night and frustrating at the same time. But if last night’s performance from the Belgian international can become his standard performance he will be set for a big 24/25 season.