Jérémy Doku has stated that Phil Foden can “struggle when people criticise” him and backed the Manchester City forward to return to his best.
Foden scored City’s opener in Sunday’s 3-0 derby win over Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium. Last season he struggled owing to injury and off-field issues, after the finest campaign of his career in which he scored 19 Premier League goals and was the driving force in City’s fourth consecutive title, earning the Professional Footballers’ Association and Football Writers’ Association men’s player of the year awards.
Doku admitted Foden can be affected by criticism. “Phil is a lovely guy,” he said. “I know sometimes he struggles when people criticise him. Football is not easy and he showed [against United] again that talent-wise you cannot say a word about him.
“I’m very happy for him, I know his qualities and I know that he will show that to everyone. I have no doubt about him. I’m very happy for him. He deserves it.”
Doku was one of City’s standout performers against United, creating goals for Foden and Haaland. He said his faith was a factor in the display.
“Today was for me already a victory,” he said post-match. “Why? Because I knew that after the game today I’m going to baptise myself; I’m going to be baptised. Maybe that’s why I felt like I was pushed today. That’s why I’m very happy with the performance as well. As a Christian, when you get baptised, your old nature, your old sinful nature, dies and you start living with God.”
