Manchester City is filled with a number of talented players. While Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho are known to be two of the best playmakers and dribbles, contrary to City’s high-possession tiki-taka game, many players have expressed admiration for the two maestros. Currently sidelined on the bench, one of the latest sensations of the City roster also holds high regard for the two former Catalonian players.
Manchester City has become a force to be reckoned with. Hailed by many for the historic treble and the three-peat, clubs are well aware of the threat they carry. Some of the best players in the world have expressed a desire to have dribbling skills like Lionel Messi. Ronaldinho, the initial mentor for Messi, was also known for his high speed and control over the ball.
City Midfielder’s love for Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho
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The much-praised Jeremy Doku has recently joined City on the left wing. After signing from Rennes for $67.6 million, he has recently expressed that he used to love watching Ronaldinho and Messi.
Doku said, “As a kid, I never had anyone’s poster on my wall. I used to have players I loved to watch Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho, players who were brilliant dribbles, and I learned to dribble on my own. I was always outside, playing with a football practicing…”
Jeremy Doku: "As a kid, I never had anyone’s poster on my wall. I used to have players I loved to watch – Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho – players who were brilliant dribblers. I learned to dribble on my own. I was always outside, playing with a football practicing…" [via @ManCity]
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) October 1, 2023
Key figures Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan left Manchester City after winning the treble. Since then, the club has signed some players in their recent transfer window, with Matheus Nunes and Mateo Kovacic added to its midfield. Jeremy Doku was also on their list because of his powerful speed and dribbling skills.
The winger started off his Premier League campaign against Fulham earlier last month. In his tenure for the club, Doku will look to provide more goals and assists, which the management is highly eager about.
Skills to keep up with the competition
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The Belgian International grew up through the ranks of Anderlecht. Growing up, Doku became famous for his powerful one-on-one duel-winning abilities and speed. The highly-rated star is winning his place in the eleven with his penetrative power despite Manchester City’s highly competitive squad.
The 21-year-old impressed even Kylian Mbappe when he was at Rennes. Doku confessed to learning dribbling by himself and not taking much help. The player said he never had anyone’s poster on his wall except players with strong dribbling abilities. He also said that he always stayed outside, practicing the skill and playing continuously.
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Doku is yet to unite with his Belgian comrade, Kevin De Bruyne. With KDB out with injury, Doku will patiently look to continue his performances to stay in the squad until De Bruyne arrives. The duo can then be potentially an unstoppable weapon for Manchester City.
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