How Pep Guardiola chat convinced Jeremy Doku to join Man City after initial reservations27663563

Jeremy Doku needed convincing by Pep Guardiola and Kevin De Bruyne to make the £55.5million move to Manchester City this summer, after initially having reservations over the transfer.

Doku was a regular for Rennes and wanted by a number of clubs, eventually choosing City towards the end of the transfer window. He made his City debut against Fulham last weekend, earning praise from assistant manager Juanma Lillo who was standing in for Guardiola on the touchline.

The Belgian himself admitted that he was left 'frustrated' with his debut as he couldn't get a goal or an assist, showing the bigger picture he sees towards the game. Now, speaking on international duty, Doku says that bigger picture kept his feet on the ground when first hearing of City's interest.

And Doku said that he waited to speak to City boss Guardiola and director of football Txiki Begiristain to learn what the exact project was for him at the club before committing to joining the European champions.

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"The first contacts were at the end of the championship," Doku told RTL. "I'm not sure, as long as it's not concrete, I'm busy with football. It's not my job.

"I say to myself, 'Ah, that's good', but what is the project? That's the most important thing. Go somewhere where the project suits me, where I see myself playing. I wanted to know what my role was. That's what will attract me, being there and saying that I play for Manchester City.

"I spoke with the sports director, with the coach. That's the key moment. When the coach speaks to you, it's not just anyone. He explains to you what the project is, that he trusts you, what you want to hear. I found him quite sincere."

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