- Jeremy Doku has opened up on Pep Guardiola’s coaching
- The Belgian says he was trusted to use his natural qualities
- His comments explain part of his improvement at Man City
Jeremy Doku has offered a fresh insight into how Pep Guardiola managed one of Man City’s most unpredictable attackers during his time at the Etihad.
The Belgian’s long-term importance at Man City has already come into focus amid claims that the club are looking to secure his future.
Doku has been linked with a new deal at the Etihad. Following his growth as an influential figure at City, he has become one of the club’s most dangerous one-v-one outlets.
While Pep Guardiola’s system has been viewed as highly structured, Doku has now explained that the former City boss gave him room to express himself.
Jeremy Doku opens up on Guardiola’s instructions
Speaking to FourFourTwo, Doku explained that Guardiola did not overload him with constant instructions. Instead, the Belgian said Guardiola would point out where the spaces were.
The Catalan gaffer trusted his players to exploit the given spaces. Furthermore, the winger went on to claim that Guardiola signed his players purely based on their individual abilities.
“I don’t remember Pep telling me before a game, ‘Jeremy, when you have the ball, do this and do that,'” Doku told FourFourTwo.
He added, “He’d tell us where the spaces are, but he signed every player for the individual qualities they possess – Rayan Cherki for that, and Erling Haaland for this.”
“Omar Marmoush’s quality is his shooting, so shoot. Cherki’s qualities are… a lot, so do a lot! [Abdukodir] Khusanov’s quality is speed, and obviously all of the rest, so run quickly.”
Pep Guardiola helped Doku refine his final actions
The Belgian also revealed that Guardiola still worked with him on the defensive side of the game. Furthermore, the former City boss helped Doku understand how to manage the final action.
That has always been a key area for development for the 24-year-old. The Belgian international never had a problem beating defenders.
However, the winger did struggle when it came to turning those moments into cleaner final third action. Needless to say, his decision-making has improved under Guardiola.
Doku’s freedom made City less predictable
Guardiola’s choice also made Doku increasingly valuable at the Etihad. While control remains the foundation for the Catalan manager, he has adapted his style over the years.
When control becomes too predictable, having a different kind of threat in the final third can be useful in an era of highly planned football.
If Guardiola had asked his players to play more safely, he may not have had such a successful stint with Man City.
