Paul Merson is not a fan of a current member of Manchester City’s squad.
Following an underwhelming 2024/25 campaign, the current transfer window has seen several players added to Pep Guardiola’s ranks, with Tijjani Reijnders standing out from the rest after his Premier League debut against Wolves.
The Dutch star will be hoping to continue his run of form into this weekend’s clash with Tottenham, a contest Paul Merson has now predicted the result of.
However, while given the reasons behind his decision, the Sky Sports pundit admitted that he is not a fan of one Man City star, who started for Guardiola last weekend against Wolves.
Paul Merson walking while doing punditry work.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Paul Merson is not a fan of Jeremy Doku
Merson predicted Man City to beat Wolves last weekend and the former Arsenal star has backed Guardiola’s men to secure all three points again on Saturday against Tottenham, with the pundit believing the Manchester club will win 2-0.
The Sky Sports pundit says the reason for his decision is that “Tottenham are a work-in-progress”, but he also went on to say that he is not a fan of Jeremy Doku.
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“This is the first real test of the new season for Manchester City and Tottenham. I remember Spurs went to the Etihad last season and destroyed City! A lot has changed at both clubs since then, and this game will be a good watch,” Merson wrote for Sportskeeda.
“I still think Tottenham are a work-in-progress. You can’t get carried away by the win against Burnley. I don’t see them getting well beaten by City, though; that’s not happening under Thomas Frank.
“Spurs will be disappointed about losing Eberechi Eze to Arsenal. Now they have to go put all their eggs in some other basket!
“Erling Haaland looked sharp in the win over Wolves, and as long as he’s fit, City will always be in the title race.
“But I don’t fancy the wingers at Pep Guardiola’s disposal. I’m not a big fan of Jeremy Doku. I just think he does not make things happen often enough.
“When Phil Foden is ready, I expect him to come back into the team, and City’s front-three will look a lot stronger.
“I’m not as bullish as I was with my predictions in the past about this fixture. Frank will go there with a plan to stop City. I’m still backing Manchester City to win, but Spurs could have their moments.”
Doku will be out to prove Merson wrong on Saturday, as the Belgian star is set to be a key part of Guardiola’s plans throughout the 2025/26 campaign.
Man City star Jeremy Doku points to the sky in celebration after goal vs Juventus.
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Jeremy Doku could be set for his best season at Man City
Since arriving at Man City as part of a £55m deal from Rennes in 2023, the Belgian star has been hit and miss, showing some moments of brilliance, but also ones of complete frustration.
Doku starred for Man City at the FIFA Club World Cup, and the expectation heading into the new season was that the 23-year-old would start on the left for Guardiola.
That proved to be the case against Wolves, but the winger’s display did not live up to that of some of his teammates, with the Belgium international coming off with 66 minutes on the clock.
Despite this, Doku could be set for his best season yet at Man City, as it is clear that Guardiola has full faith in the former Rennes star.
Doku has bags of potential, and if he can hone his craft as a winger throughout the coming months and improve his decision-making, the winger could become a lethal weapon in the Premier League.