Pep Guardiola has claimed that he told one of the Manchester City players that he used to fail to have an impact as a substitute.
In all fairness, several of the top players are simply used to starting games regularly for City.
As a result, it would be completely understandable if they came off the bench and did not have the desired impact.
It is a challenge to impact games as a substitute, especially as an attacker.
One would argue that playing against tired legs should be a relatively easy task for a substitute.
But then again, trying to make something happen out of nothing in the midst of a contest is naturally challenging.
Guardiola says he told Man City player he used to be poor off the bench
Due to how much Pep Guardiola rotates his side, they lack a player who can be identified as a “super-sub.”
Sure, Julian Alvarez has made an impact as a substitute in some games but he cannot be classified as one.
But the Argentine cannot be compared to say, Edin Dzeko, who was renowned for being outstanding off the bench.
Often, the Bosnian striker used to be introduced as a late substitute during his time at City.
The competition for places up front was off the charts under Roberto Mancini especially, with Edin Dzeko fighting for a starting place with Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli.
As a result, the former Roma number nine had to make himself useful off the bench, which he did.
But lately, Jeremy Doku has become a weapon for Pep Guardiola off the bench.
“The impact from Jeremy [Doku] against Madrid was unbelievable. Jeremy make this step because when he arrived, first game was Fulham, I was at home at surgery but after playing West Ham, ‘Oh my God’, was unbelievable”, he said [via BeanymanSports].
“And until [getting] injured, was at the top, unbelievable level.”
However, Pep Guardiola admitted that he told Jeremy Doku once that his performances as a substitute were not at the required standard.
“And after [he got] injured, was like that but always, when he come from the bench, the impact was not good. From the starting XI was good, from the bench, was not good and we talked about that.”
However, in successive cameos against Real Madrid and Chelsea, Pep Guardiola has acknowledged how tremendous Jeremy Doku has been.
“So, you have to make an impact because the players are more tired and you have a special quality one against one and he changed the game. Against Madrid as well, he changed the game. We dropped them and he created a lot of chances.”
“Jeremy’s an incredible, exceptional, exceptional player, for the quality one against one, close to the box, he’s unbelievable. He’s young, has to improve many, many things but in the final, he’s massively important for us.”
Doku seemingly took on the advice on board from Guardiola
The admission from Pep Guardiola showcases that Jeremy Doku took his advice on board.
It is no coincidence that Doku has emerged as a game-changer in his recent cameo appearances and he seems to have worked on this side of his game.
The £55.5 million man seems hungry to learn as much as possible and one can see that in his displays, whether it be as a starter or off the bench.
Pep Guardiola must not just be delighted with how well Jeremy Doku is starting to fare as an impact substitute but also his willingness to learn and put his teachings into practice.