Jeremy Doku perk opens up breathing space for Jack Grealish at Man City

“So far, Jeremy Doku on the left has been… wow,” said Pep Guardiola this week. The Belgian became the youngest player in Premier League history to notch four assists when sweeping aside Bounremouth last weekend.

He has hit the ground running at Manchester City and is challenging Jack Grealish for his place. Many see him as the frontrunner. It’s obvious to observers that both players possess different styles and assets.

Grealish is slower and is better at holding the ball up, whereas Doku has bags of pace and rather frightens defenders. A video recorded during his time at Rennes that did the rounds on social media this week showed Doku outlining that his ambition is to destroy the confidence of his marker.

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City fans are yet to come across a full-back who can match the game of Doku yet albeit many wish for him to show his skills against a top six club, so a potential match-up with Reece James in Sunday’s clash with Chelsea is exciting. But perhaps whoever plays left-back should be mindful too.

Doku was effective on both channels against Bournemouth and Guardiola has not been afraid to make the wingers swap flanks when Doku is on the pitch. “He is so young 21, for his skills and ability using both sides, I don't see many using both sides,” the City manager added.

Doku has shown he is yet another versatile player in his squad. Bernardo Silva is perhaps the epitome of that. Whether it’s on the wing, as an attacking midfielder or pivot, the Portugal hero has been instrumental this season.

In recent games, he has come in to help more centrally alongside Rodri and as such has kept Mateo Kovacic and