Shay Given wants one Manchester City star to start adding more goals to his game after showing his ‘world-class’ quality in the Club World Cup win over Juventus.
Manchester City brought their Club World Cup group stage campaign to a close in style on Thursday with an emphatic 5-2 win over Juventus.
Rayan Ait-Nouri stole a lot of the headlines after his excellent play on the left flank, while his opposite number, Matheus Nunes, also impressed with two assists.
There were tap-ins for Erling Haaland and Phil Foden, as well as a rasping drive on his weaker foot from Savinho to enjoy as well.
However, the real star of the show was the man who got the scoring going, Jeremy Doku.
Doku was a bolt of electricity during a walk in the park of a match, with his injection of pace and skill bringing the crowd to life in the hot and humid Citrus Bowl.
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Shay Given was left very impressed by his display and now wants him to start scoring more often for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Jeremy Doku smiles following Manchester City's win over Juventus.
Photo by Elsa – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Shay Given wants Jeremy Doku to start scoring more goals
Doku’s goal was brilliantly taken, as he was found in space by his new partner Ait-Nouri before cutting inside and finding the bottom corner.
Speaking after the game on punditry duty for DAZN, Given explained how he would like to see Doku get into more dangerous positions in the middle of the field so he can score more often.
“I think I’d like to see Doku inside,” he said. “Sometimes he’s hugging the touchline, he can actually do more damage when he’s inside.
“When he’s in a one vs one situation, he’s so quick and so direct.
“What he has to do to his game is add goals. That will give him a big confidence boost tonight.”
When asked what his favourite goal of the game was, Given gave the nod to Doku’s strike.
He added: “I loved the Doku goal as well, the first one, because the movement from Doku and the pass from Ait-Nouri was world-class. It really was.
“Them two paired up really well tonight, so it was exciting times for Man City.”
Callum Wilson credits Rayan Ait-Nouri’s role in Jeremy Doku’s goal
The most exciting development from City’s victory was the budding left-wing partnership between Doku and Ait-Nouri.
The pair linked up almost telepathically well, with Doku claiming he already has a strong connection with Ait-Nouri after the game.
The summer signing has hit the ground running at left-back, something that’s bound to make Josko Gvardiol happy as he should be free to play at centre-back.
Callum Wilson joined Given for the game and, while he credited Doku for the goal, he was also sure to point out Ait-Nouri’s crucial contribution as he set it up.
Wilson said: “He [Doku] showed great composure to get himself on the score sheet, but this goal doesn’t happen if Ait-Nouri’s out wide.
“He’s quite narrow, like Pep has his full-backs, and what a finish it was.”