Sky Blue Times
@theskybluetimes
For Jeremy Doku to build on his promising first season, relative to other wingers at the club, and make himself a successful career at Manchester City there are a few problems. Off the ball, he must stop losing the ball in these situations. Pass is curling ahead of Gundogan as a United player is jumping up to win the ball instead of it being flat.
That extends to holding up the ball better, as well as Mazraoui did against him, Doku has the strength to be an outlet holding up the ball but he's not efficient enough with his actions yet.
The same outcome happened a minute later, the ball was into Doku, and Mazraoui moved his arm out of the way, and stepped forward to win the ball. Driving forward for United to attack. It's no surprise he was substituted shortly after. Side Note - Mazraoui did the best job I've seen from a full-back defending against Doku. Had the length in his limbs to reach around Doku and win the ball, or get his arm in front. Always first to face the ball, quick to turn his hips, and planted feet to accelerate quickly. Meant that Ederson had one less passing option.
That's not to say the team could have set him up better to succeed in the final third, something Rodri manages so well for the team is when the ball needs to go into the wide players. With the right movement around and space to attack.
Often when Jeremy was close to the box, he would find himself in these positions, the inside closed off and United prepared to deal with his cross on the outside. Nobody provided a genuine threat at the back-post to cross to.
4 successful dribbles out of 11 attempts. 2 out of 7 successful in the final third. Below are the five that failed. Jeremy Doku is a played you want to use his burst of acceleration to attack space in/on the edge of the box which he can then shoot, cross, or pass from. Burst into space, and provide the final pass or shot. You do not want him to be trying to beat the RWB on the edge of the final third, as those three below are, where the ball can be lost and quickly turned into an attack by United.
The last point is how quick Doku is when pressing to shift back into position. Savinho for all of his struggles in the penalty box, has that intensity out of possession. Bobb as well. Whilst there are better ways to use Jeremy Doku and players the team misses to injury that could do that, he needs to improve in these other areas. It's really clear the threat he offers when in the right areas, his relentless attitude to attacking the full-back and box is refreshing and needed. Expect him to become more consistent with his final action this season. But he must offer more to have a successful career at Manchester City.