The £55m Man City ace who was actually even better than Phil Foden despite his brace vs Ipswich Town - opinion

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With Phil Foden scoring a brace in Manchester City’s 6-0 thrashing of Ipswich Town, it is natural that the plaudits will come his way and deservedly so.

The Manchester City virtuoso stepped up like the world-class player he is and scored two important goals that catapulted his boyhood club to fourth place.

Foden has scored five Premier League goals this year, more than any other player in the division as he looks like a man in form again.

However, there were several other City players who were brilliant against Kieran McKenna’s side.

Kevin De Bruyne shone against Ipswich Town, providing two assists and proving to be vital for Manchester City once again.

But Jeremy Doku, who Rio Ferdinand praised was the best player on the pitch.

Jeremy Doku was Man City’s best player vs Ipswich Town

Often, the Belgian international is criticised for perhaps dribbling excessively and not having enough end product to be classed as an elite winger.

Against Ipswich, that was certainly not the case as Doku perhaps put in his most efficient performance in a Manchester City shirt.

The 22-year-old picked his moments to take on his man, often playing incisive passes to De Bruyne, who made a number of intelligent runs down the left flank.

Jeremy Doku picked his countryman on two instances, who assisted one of Foden’s goals and provided the key pass that led to his second of the evening.

In terms of Doku’s end product, it was there for all to see as he initially danced past Jens Catunje and Ben Godfrey before his deflected strike found the back of the net in what was a goal reminiscent of world-class left wingers such as Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr.

Soon after, the £55.5 million (Sky Sports) man picked up a loose pass from Jack Clarke, carried the ball and played a perfectly-timed pass to Erling Haaland, who scored his 17th league goal of the season.

Doku, described as “really dangerous” by Kolo Toure went on to do what he does best as the game progressed and beat defenders with his quick feet from both the left and the right flank in what was a truly complete display from him.

It is easy to forget that the Premier League champion is still quite a young prospect playing his second season in the English top-flight.

Doku, who was compared to Eden Hazard should consider his latest display as the blueprint for how he consistently fares going forward.

With Manchester City going on a five-game unbeaten streak for the first time since October, the tricky dribbler’s form should also take an upturn as his side look like they are slowly but surely getting back to their former selves.

Jeremy Doku stats in Ipswich Town vs Man City

This season, Doku has been in and out of Pep Guardiola’s side.

Competing with Savinho and Jack Grealish for a place on the left-wing, it has been far from easy for the Borgerhout-born wide forward to become a regular starter at the Etihad Stadium.

But after shining against Ipswich in the manner that he did, Doku might have earned himself a place in the starting XI for now, with the statistics from his latest encounter potentially forcing Guardiola’s hand.

The fact that Doku created three chances and took eight touches in the opposition box reflects how much of a threat he was at the Portman Road Stadium.

While defensively as well, the Manchester City forward was no slouch, winning four duels, making two tackles and winning back possession thrice.

De Bruyne praised Doku by referring to him as a “diamond in the rough.”

But now, the time has come for the former Rennes speedster to become a superstar.

Doku is a brilliant dribbler but if he manages to further build on his game as he did against Ipswich, Pep Guardiola will be smiling from ear to ear as the young winger’s talent is there for all to see.