The Belgian winger became the Premier League’s youngest player to assist four goals in one game as well as scoring one himself as City thrashed Bournemouth 6-1.
And the City boss says he couldn’t be happier with the winger’s progress so far.
“Yes, and not just the first time this season,” said Guardiola when asked if he was impressed with Doku’s contribution.
“In his first game against Fulham he was so shy, but at West Ham he started to show his incredible skills.
“He played really good there and all the games here at home he played fantastic.
“But he’s not just one against one and one against two. He surprised all of us - he’s a great footballer.
“He reads every action for exactly what he has to do. His quality is close to the box. Always we talk about that.
“Go, dribble, and go because it’s difficult to find a player today with the ability to play in small spaces and he is one of the fastest players over five metres.
“It’s incredible how he changes the rhythm in five metres. After that when he’s not able to dribble, he takes good decisions and I’m impressed by that.
“That’s why for me he’s a great, great footballer.
“Even defensively when he goes against an opponent he’s not going to be beaten easily and we are really pleased.
“He’s just 21 and Txiki again made an incredible action by bringing him here and hopefully he’s happy and he can be here for many years.
“Am I surprised? Being honest a little bit. Always we have nice expectations. He creates something for the crowd.
“When he takes the ball and goes everybody is excited, and me too.
“Something is going to happen, and it happens.
“To have this threat up front with Erling and Julian, playing really well and Phil and the other ones it’s so important.
“Today Erling played 45 minutes and didn’t score, and we were able to score six goals, so it’s good.”
Guardiola was asked how long City had been watching Doku, and he replied that it was only when Riyad Mahrez and Cole Palmer indicated they wanted to move that the need for a new winger emerged.
“We spoke over the years and when Riyad left and Cole wanted to leave, we needed a winger, and we had two or three options, but the Club decided mainly,” he said.
“Txiki and his people were talking with me and Juanma and they decided this is the guy we need.
“He can play on both sides right or left. He’s an incredible threat over 5 or 6 metres.
“Normally we play teams who sit so deep, and we need players who have ability in small places - and he has that.
“The action for the last goal for Bernardo to have the vision means he’s a good football player.
“It’s not just 1 on 1 which is difficult to find in world football anyway.
“All the managers say don’t lose the ball don’t dribble pass the ball, but wingers have to dribble. Where? I don’t like them to dribble 60 metres from goal.
“But near their box, take a risk, have a dribble, it’s your talent and finding them is not easy.
“They know they have all the freedom in that area to take decisions and mainly he takes the right decision.
“We’re going to give the ball to this guy, and he will create something. It’s natural.”
And on Erling Haaland’s half-time substitution, Pep added: “He had a twist. I didn’t speak with the doctor yet. We’ll see in the next few days. It is the ankle.”
