Jeremy Doku’s former team-mate is backing the ‘phenomenon’ to prove his worth in the Premier League after Manchester City agreed a £55 million deal for Rennes’ Belgium international.
Yayi Mpie, who played with the winger at youth level for Anderlecht, knew from day one that Jeremy Doku had something special.
And while the speed of his ascent may have taken some by surprise – the BBC reporting that Manchester City are set to pay £55 million for a 21-year-old who was facing sustained criticism for a lack of end product not so long ago – Mpie is confident that Doku can prove on English soil exactly why Kevin de Bruyne thinks the champions are signing a ‘diamond’ of a footballer.
Manchester City agree Jeremy Doku deal with Rennes
“Jeremy was already a phenomenon in terms of his technique, his speed, his finishing, his mentality. He had everything,” Mpie tells Het Nieuwsblad. “Everyone knew that Jeremy was different from all of us.
“He played football at a different level, and he was also a good student at school. He wanted to be the best in everything.”
Doku also found himself on the radar of Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United; interest rising rapidly after scoring seven Ligue 1 goals since the turn of the year at Rennes. However, once Man City made their interest known, there was only one club Doku wanted to join.
“Now that I think about it, everything was even more about football for him than for the rest. He is now reaping the benefits of that,” Mpie adds.
“People don’t know him well yet. At Manchester City, he will be seen more on TV, and he will surprise many football fans.”
Doku promises to bring a different dimension to the City attack. In comparison to Riyad Mahrez, who preferred to cut in onto his favoured left boot, the one-time Liverpool target is more of an old-school, touchline-treading throwback of a winger.
One who’s ability to get to the byline and fire crosses into the penalty area could see him strike up quite the partnership with a certain Erling Haaland.
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