Pep Guardiola has sacrificed control and let Jérémy Doku bring the chaos

Pep Guardiola has made a habit of coaching the fun out of players at Manchester City. Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish are two prime examples. They were unpredictable and exciting when they arrived from Leicester and Aston Villa, respectively. Over time they became system players as Guardiola’s strict style made them serve the collective rather than express their individuality.

Jérémy Doku feels like an exception to the rule. When the Belgian winger arrived from Rennes in the summer, the expectation was that he would spend his first year settling in as he learned Guardiola’s demands. The manager had used this approach with Mahrez and Grealish, who were shaped into better team players over time. With Doku, though, Guardiola seems to have opted for chaos over his usual control.

Bringing the chaos is exactly what Doku does best. Despite starting only seven of City’s 12 league matches, he has completed 31 dribbles – more than any other player in the league. Thierry Henry, who worked with Doku during his time as Belgium’s assistant manager, summed up his threat well: “When you’re one on one with him, there’s only one thing left to do – pray.” Given the torrid time Henry gave Premier League defenders, that is high praise indeed.

Intriguingly, it seems the push to sign Doku did not come from Guardiola. “Txiki [Begiristain] made an incredible action to bring him here,” said Guardiola after Doku’s outstanding display in City’s 6-1 mauling of Bournemouth this month – a game in which the winger scored one goal and set up four more.

Guardiola might not have been the one demanding Doku’s signature, but he is enjoying the experience. “He creates something for the crowd,” said Guardiola after the Bournemouth game. “When he takes the ball everyone gets excited – me too.”

However, Guardiola was also quick to point out that dribbling will be permitted only in certain scenarios. “It’s difficult to find football players who can dribble because managers say don’t lose the ball,” he said. “I don’t like people to dribble 60 metres but, if on the 18-yard box, take a risk. They know they have all the freedom in that area to take the decisions they have to take – and mainly he takes the right decisions.”

Doku has been brilliant for City this season, but he struggled against Reece James when City drew 4-4 with Chelsea before the international break. Doku lasted an hour before being replaced by Grealish, but he will expect to have a larger role against Trent Alexander-Arnold on Saturday. James is a diligent right-back. The same cannot be said of Alexander-Arnold, whose defensive shortcomings have been exploited regularly.

The battle between Doku and Alexander-Arnold could be where City’s match with Liverpool is won or lost on Saturday. Much has been made of the fact that Virgil van Dijk has not been dribbled past this season; the same cannot be said for Alexander-Arnold, who has been bypassed 15 times. His tackle success rate of only 44.4% is poor.

City have two very different options at left-wing in Jack Grealish and Jérémy Doku. Photograph: MI News/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

Up against Doku, it could be a rout down City’s left flank. Jürgen Klopp has a decision to make. If he pushes Alexander-Arnold into this hybrid right-back-central-midfielder role, he needs the relevant cover to ensure the space vacated is not exploited by Doku. Ibrahima Konaté would be the logical choice given his recovery speed, though his injury issues mean Joël Matip may partner Van Dijk at the back. Matip is a solid option given his big-game experience, but either centre-back on that right side will be in for a tough afternoon.

If given space, Doku will hurt Liverpool. He has set up five goals in the league this season – only Pedro Neto (seven) and Kieran Trippier (six) have more assists. With Kevin De Bruyne absent, Doku has stepped up and shouldered his fair share of the creative burden. He has delivered 2.4 key passes a game – so is not just another zippy winger who lacks end product.

The combination of Doku’s freedom and the more restricted style now employed by Grealish gives City two options on the left-wing. Doku has been granted the freedom to wreak havoc in the final third whereas Grealish’s remoulded style helps the team as a whole – as shown by their trophy haul last season. Yes, Grealish does not have the creative licence he enjoyed in his final season at Aston Villa, but Guardiola now has two left-wingers who offer different threats depending on the opponent.

Starting with Doku is an enticing prospect, but Guardiola picked Grealish for the trip to Manchester United last month. The visit of Liverpool, though, feels like the ideal opportunity for Doku considering who he will be up against. There will be a number of important battles across the pitch on Saturdaytoday but the winger’s clash with Alexander-Arnold should be as decisive as any.

This is an article by WhoScored

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