“Pep will be putting into him is that he can’t beat his man every time he gets it.”- Pep Guardiola told Jack Grealish still offers Man City one thing Jeremy Doku doesn’t
Manchester City have been told that summer addition Jack Grealish is better suited to’slowing the game down’ than Jeremy Doku.
The Belgian, 21, assisted in City’s 2-1 victory over Brighton on Saturday afternoon. Pep Guardiola chose him to start that game, with Grealish on the bench, after some outstanding displays during his early days with the treble-winners following a £55.5million deal.
On seven minutes, the ex-Stade Rennais player set up Julian Alvarez for the first goal. Norway striker Erling Haaland put the Premier League champions up 2-0, and they were mostly comfortable with that lead until Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati scored back for the Seagulls.
Former City striker Paul Dickov said of Doku in his in-game commentary for the City website that Grealish is better at’slowing the game down’ than his teammate.
“He’s settled in better than anyone could have expected,” Dickov said. He’s a young boy who isn’t used to this kind of behavior.
“Usually, when we sign players, they’re already playing at the highest level in their respective countries.” I’m astonished at how well he’s settled in; he seems like a threat every time he gets the ball.”
“I joked at halftime that I felt sorry for James Milner,” Dickov continued. There is still some naivety in him, and Pep will instill in him that he cannot beat his guy every time he gets it.
“Sometimes, like when Jack [Greaish] came on, they just slow the game down, under pressure, and keep the ball when Pep wants it.” But he’s been quite impressive since coming in for someone so young.”
Doku rose through the ranks of Anderlecht and appeared in 37 games for his hometown club. He moved to France for €26 million in 2020, but City agreed to spend more than double that amount this summer for the dynamic 17-cap forward.
