Fulham defender Timothy Castagne believes Jeremy Doku has actually improved so much in one area since joining Manchester City.
Doku has just completed his debut season at the Etihad Stadium, following his £55 million transfer from Rennes.
Doku was used in rotation with Jack Grealish on the left mostly, and ended up making 45 appearances for the club. The Belgian scored seven goals – his last coming in the FA Cup final against Manchester United – and made 10 assists.
Doku has excited City supporters with his direct style, rapid acceleration and dribbling, but he’s also lacked consistency, which is to be expected from a young player in his first season in a new league.
But for Castagne, Doku has really improved in one area…
Timothy Castagne insists Manchester City star Jeremy Doku has a better end product now
Patience is required with Doku. The star is still only 22 and he will now reach the start of his peak for another five or so years yet.
At the moment he is still developing, but the signs are there that he can become a top player.
For any winger, the final ball has to be good. And it’s especially important at City, who love to get the ball out wide and behind the defense.
Doku will often get into good positions after wriggling away from a full-back. He then has to cross, and Castagne believes this is something he’s improved a lot compared to when he first signed.
He said in a new video put out by the Premier League: “Now with Guardiola he has improved a lot on his crosses, or last pass or even finishing.
“Because before, he was so quick but he was a bit raw. But now, you can see he worked on it a lot. And also his composure.”
Doku improving his final ball will be the making of him
Without a shadow of a doubt, Doku delivering a consistent end product will be that making for him at City.
It is probably the hardest thing to do as a winger, but so important because strikers need service from these areas.
Doku has shown how good he is at beating his opponent when in a one-vs-one situation, but he sometimes fails to deliver once he’s got to the byline.
But 10 assists in his first season was respectable, especially given how many oppositions flood their box with defenders, making it really hard to pick out a man.
It should certainly be Doku’s goal to improve on this number for next season.