Pep Guardiola admitted he had treated Jeremy Doku unfairly before the Belgian winger’s match-changing substitute display sealed Manchester City’s 2-0 victory at Everton.
Pep Guardiola publicly acknowledged that he misjudged one of his most exciting attacking talents after leaving Jeremy Doku on the bench for three consecutive Premier League matches. The City manager confessed that recent tactical tweaks prevented him from featuring in the starting XI, but praised the 22-year‑old’s ability to turn games around once introduced. His apology underlines the club’s commitment to getting the best out of every squad member.
Since the international break in March, Guardiola has favoured a formation prioritising defensive stability and midfield control over explosive wing play. That approach limited Doku to three substitute appearances in his last five outings, with only one start coming in the emphatic 3-0 win over Leicester City. The Belgian international’s raw pace and direct threat had been sacrificed in the pursuit of ball retention and gradual territorial gains.
At Goodison Park on Saturday, the situation finally shifted. Introduced with the score locked at 0-0, Doku immediately stretched Everton’s backline with darting runs and clever off‑the‑ball movement. His direct involvement helped create the opening goal, and Manchester City eventually ran out 2-0 winners. The victory moved City back to within two points of the Premier League summit, reaffirming their title credentials.
Guardiola explained that his recent selection pattern stemmed from a desire to field more robust defensive units. “We changed to protect the midfield and give more cover to our full‑backs,” he said. “That left less room for wide attackers like Jeremy and Savinho. In games against Spurs and Brighton, we needed extra bodies centrally to control possession.”
That shift, however, came at a cost to the team’s natural flair. Doku’s blistering acceleration and Savinho’s ability to beat defenders one‑on‑one are vital weapons for City’s relentless search for goals. Guardiola admitted that by prioritising numbers in midfield, he inadvertently stifled the creative outlets that can break opponents’ resolve.
“I’ve been so unfair with him in the last games,” Guardiola confessed. “Without him, we couldn’t have produced the impact we needed. Today his influence was clear. He arrived at the byline, he created danger, and his threat in the final third has no equal. I feel sorry for how I managed his minutes.”
In praising Doku, Guardiola underlined the youngster’s potential to become one of Europe’s premier wingers. “Jeremy in the final third is unstoppable,” he insisted. “He’s an incredible football player, and I’m really pleased that today he produced such a strong performance. That’s the Jeremy I know — decisive, fearless and lethal.”
The apology and subsequent praise suggest a change of heart from the City boss, who now seems willing to reincorporate Doku into his attacking blueprint. With a crucial Champions League quarter‑final looming and a tight title race to negotiate, Guardiola will hope to find the perfect balance between solidity and spectacle. If Doku continues to deliver when called upon, he could yet establish himself as an indispensable figure in Manchester City’s pursuit of silverware.
