- Jeremy Doku has opened up on his Etihad move
- Pep Guardiola played a key role in the transfer
- Man City are now entering a new attacking cycle
Manchester City’s next attacking cycle will arrive without Pep Guardiola, but one of the club’s current forwards has now explained how important the Catalan was to his own Etihad move.
City are moving into a new era after Guardiola’s departure. However, players like Jeremy Doku could remain important parts of the Enzo Maresca puzzle.
The winger arrived from Rennes in 2023, offering rare one-vs-one ability. However, the Belgian’s decision-making, final-third output and tactical understanding have developed rapidly at Man City.
Today, he remains an important part of City’s attacking balance. Now, Doku has revealed why Guardiola’s personal involvement helped make the move to the Etihad feel right.
Jeremy Doku explains Pep Guardiola role in Man City move
Speaking to FourFourTwo, Doku revealed that he spoke with Guardiola before making the move to Man City.
The winger admitted that Guardiola’s presence naturally made the transfer appealing, but he still wanted clarity over his role before joining.
“I spoke with Pep, and obviously, you don’t need a lot of convincing to go to City. I wanted to play, and I wanted to be sure that if I joined City, would I just be there to be there, or do they really count on me?” Doku told FourFourTwo.
He added: “But he showed his interest in me, which made me comfortable signing.” At 21, moving to one of the best clubs in the world was a major step for the attacker.
However, Guardiola made sure to give Doku assurance regarding the move. The confidence hasn’t gone to waste, as the Belgian has averaged approximately 0.68 goal involvements per 90 during his time at the Etihad.
Doku has grown into a bigger City role
The Belgian was not always a guaranteed starter in his early months at City. However, he has steadily become a more important attacking weapon.
Doku scored eight goals and contributed 14 assists during the 2025/26 campaign, while also being nominated for the club’s Etihad Player of the Year award.
Likewise, the winger’s ability to isolate defenders and break defensive lines without needing perfect passing combinations remains valuable to City.
Doku could have major role under Enzo Maresca
With Enzo Maresca expected to take the helm at the Etihad, Doku might well be in the FIFA Club World Cup winner’s plans.
Maresca has often used wide players to stretch the pitch, hold width and create space for central players to operate between the lines.
This final third structure could suit Doku, whose biggest strengths remain his acceleration, direct running and ability to isolate defenders.
City have already seen those qualities become more productive over the last season as Doku led the Premier League for completed dribbles (84).
The winger has the raw tools to become a major part of City’s next attacking cycle. Likewise, under Maresca, he may also get the chance to become more reliable with his final third output.
