Doku Defiant on Manchester City’s Premier League Title Ambitions

Manchester City player Jeremy Doku has stated that the team intends to maintain its focus within a “bubble” for the remainder of the 2024-25 season. This declaration follows recent criticism concerning the team’s performances and results. Doku contributed a goal in the 3-0 victory against Nottingham Forest at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, a result that reduced the deficit between Pep Guardiola’s squad and league leaders Liverpool to seven points. Addressing the criticism directed at his team, the 22-year-old winger remarked, “They can say whatever they want. We just stay in our bubble and we’re still in December. If they think it’s over, let them think it’s over. We are going to look game by game, try to win as much as possible and we will see at the end.” Doku made his return to City’s starting XI on Wednesday, where he not only scored but also provided an assist. The Belgium international emphasized that Guardiola’s squad disregards external criticism, choosing instead to concentrate on their own efforts rather than monitoring their rivals. He further commented, “At the end of the day, when everything goes well they’re going to hype you up. When everything goes bad, you’re the worst. We don’t listen, we concentrate on ourselves in our bubble. We know together we’ll be stronger.” Prior to the match against Forest, City had experienced a four-match losing streak in the league. Doku highlighted the significant boost Wednesday’s win provided for the squad’s morale. He explained, “We were waiting for this win. We know it’s difficult as a team. We are used to winning so when we had some difficulties to win a game it’s difficult. We didn’t listen to the noise of the outside. We just kept working and grinding.”