City went with skill rather than speed across 2022/23, with Jack Grealish, Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva wowing out wide.
Now the dynamic is different, with Doku – a summer signing from Stade Rennais – boasting rapid running power alongside his natural talent and technique.
The 21-year-old reminds Guardiola of Sterling and Sane who also flew down the flanks as pace aces.
“I would say the wingers we had in the past were the type of wingers with incredible skill and quality but not with the pace that we had with Leroy [Sane] and Raheem [Sterling],” Guardiola told the media ahead of the Nottingham Forest game.
“We didn’t have it in the past. Cole [Palmer] has now gone to Chelsea, Riyad [Mahrez], Bernardo [Silva], Phil [Foden], Jack [Grealish], of course they are quick it’s more the quality of intelligence. Their ability one against one.
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“But this explosive in five or six metres that Jeremy has, it is quite similar to Leroy and Raheem before.”
Guardiola has been impressed with the impact of Doku since joining as our third summer signing and believes the winger has ‘special quality’ in the attacking areas.
He made a bright start in the 5-1 home win over Fulham before scoring and starring in the 3-1 away victory at West Ham.
His latest game – coming on early as a sub for the injured Bernardo against Red Star Belgrade – again saw him showcase his pace and grace in the comeback 3-1 triumph.
The boss is pleased to see him in sky blue but knows that he must be careful with him because of the intense football schedule in this country.
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“He’s played really well,” added Guardiola.
“He’s not used to playing three games a week at Rennes. In the past, you have to be careful and see how he recovers [from] the game, the effort and 90 minutes and basically three days [later] if he’s able to play again.
“You have to know each other. He has to know his body but he’s adapted really well.
“He’s a lovely guy and as a winger in the final third he has special quality. We tried to use him for that.”
Watch part two of the manager’s media briefing in the video player above.
