Manchester City return to Champions League action next Wednesday for the second leg of the quarter-final against Real Madrid – and David James believes one player may strike fear into the Spanish side
City put in a convincing performance against Luton Town on Saturday at the Etihad Stadium, thumping the Hatters 5-1.
Luton boss Rob Edwards admitted City were simply ‘amazing’, and it was an afternoon full of positives for Pep Guardiola, who was able to rest key players.
The likes of Phil Foden, Rodri and Bernardo Silva were all kept back, and should be relatively fresh next Wednesday.
As a result of Jack Grealish dropping to the bench, there was a start on the left for Jeremy Doku, and the Belgian enjoyed one of his best displays in a City shirt to date. Micah Richards branded him ‘brilliant’ on Match of the Day, and David James believes that he is a player Real Madrid will actually be fearing next week…
David James believes Real Madrid will be worried about Jeremy Doku after performance against Luton
City fans cannot wait for next week’s second leg with Real Madrid.
The game is delicately balanced at 3-3, but City’s superb home form makes them the favourites, and Real Madrid will need a huge performance if they are to advance to the semi-finals.
It is fairly likely that Jack Grealish will be Pep’s choice to play on the left wing.
The 28-year-old has really upped his game recently, having returned to the squad from a hamstring injury.
And it’s probably that Bernardo or Foden will play from the right.
That would mean Doku would take up a position on the bench, but former City goalkeeper David James feels his display against Luton could still have the Real Madrid defenders concerned.
He said on City’s Matchday Live show: “When you see someone like Doku having an influence on a game one on one against the defenders, if I’m a Real Madrid defender, as good as I am, I’m thinking ‘Right if this guy comes on, with that kind of form, then I might be in trouble’.
Doku could be very important against Real Madrid
It would be a major surprise if Doku started against Real at the Etihad, despite his wonderful display against Luton.
But it’s a massive game against one of the top sides in the world, and Grealish starting on the left just seems nailed on. The England international is in form now, and played in the biggest games last season – we know how effective he can be.
But Doku – whose goal against Luton was branded ‘phenomenal’ by Paul Merson – could potentially be very important for City next Wednesday.
If City are struggling to break their opponents down, then you get the feeling that Pep won’t hesitate to throw on an in-form Doku to try and make something happen.