Five key games Jeremy Doku is likely to miss as Pep Guardiola confirms Man City blow
Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Man City could be without Jeremy Doku for multiple weeks ahead of facing Brentford on Wednesday.
Doku has been a shining star for Man City, finally unlocking his true potential at the Etihad Stadium, and notching five goals and five assists in 25 appearances across all competitions.
Rodri is already a long-term absentee and is expected to be missing for another few games, joining John Stones and Mateo Kovacic in the treatment room.
With Jack Grealish impressing at Everton, the likeliest outcome for the Citizens will be a more prominent role for Savinho, who has looked like reaching his potential much more in recent weeks.
Games are coming thick and fast for the team sitting second in the Premier League, but Guardiola has now been dealt a major new setback ahead of these matches.
Jeremy Doku could be sidelined for up to three weeks
Guardiola spoke in his pre-match press conference ahead of welcoming the Bees to the Etihad on 17 December, suggesting that the winger is likely to be sidelined until the New Year.
He said: “Two or three weeks. I don’t know. Maybe the New Year against Sunderland, to be sure. We will see,” but if City are to wait a full three weeks, that would also see him miss the game after the Black Cats.
Only Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, and Rayan Cherki have more Premier League goal contributions than the Belgian star, and fans will be reluctant to see Foden take his spot on the left flank in his absence.
In addition to his goal contributions, no Premier League player has created more big chances from open play [ESPN], showcasing just how integral he is to Guardiola’s set-up this season.
How have Man City fared with no Doku in the starting XI?
Doku has only missed five of City’s 16 Premier League games so far this season, coming on as a substitute in four of those. He was completely out of the squad for the win over Crystal Palace, though.
In the four other games, Guardiola’s side lost 1-0 to Aston Villa, narrowly beat Brentford 1-0, lost 1-0 to Brighton, and lost 2-0 to Tottenham. The following games are the ones he could miss.
December
- 17 December: Carabao Cup, Brentford (H)
- 20 December: Premier League, West Ham (H)
- 27 December: Premier League, Nottingham Forest (A)
January
- 1 January: Premier League, Sunderland (A)
- 4 January: Premier League, Chelsea (H)
As per FotMob, the 23-year-old creates 3.44 chances per 90 minutes, completes 4.3 dribbles per 90, and also wins 7.83 duels per 90, proving exactly why his teammates love having him in the team.
While his injury will give his fellow wingers a chance to stake a claim for the starting lineup, he is likely to be thrown straight back into the lineup once he returns to full fitness.