Jeremy Doku put Manchester City back on the right track for a return to Champions League job – but admitted that he knew it would not always be a bed of roses in the Etihad.
The Belgian winger was excellent in the 1-0 victory of the city against Bogey Men Tottenham on Wednesday evening when the Fallen Champions climbed back in the top four. But Doku, whose fast feet and electric tempo Jack Grealish have pushed in the edge £ 100 million, always suspected that there would be bumps in the way after the four titles of the city in a row.
Erling Haaland's 20th Premier League goal of the season achieved the points on a land where City had lost on six of their previous eight visits, and they looked back at the peak shape of Pep Guardiola's Untouchables.
Doku said: “More like the old man City? Yes, I think – back to winning ways, we know how difficult it is to come to Tottenham and win, even last season.
“The first season when I came here, we won the Premier League, but I knew it wouldn't always be that way, the privilege. Sometimes you go through difficult moments, but you take those moments to learn and you become a better player.
“You learn even more from these seasons. If everything goes in itself, you will not learn as much as when we have some difficulties. Last season we also had some difficulties, but this season a bit more and I learn from every difficult moment.
“Of course there are some new players, you can feel that there are new players, you can feel on the field that there are different players, but it is the same coach, the same playing style. That didn't change, so we keep doing what we used to do. '
With six times title winner Kevin De Bruyne from the contract this summer and with an uncertain future, City Messiah Guardiola has already started a wholesaler makeover of his midfield. Doku believes that WEW signing sessions Niko Gonzalez, Omar Marmoush and the return of absent injury Rodri will breathe new life into the side and he said: “With Kevin we know the influence he has and has had.
“If he doesn't play, we have to do it without him, but we know every time he is on the field, he will add something. We just have to do it with and without sometimes.
“Everyone has different qualities, but we know that the specific qualities of Kevin are unique. We don't ask to be someone else like Kevin – he has his own personality and playing style and we just want them to be themselves. “
City could still falter in Arsenal to squeeze second place, but Doku insisted: “Our target is just to win every game, go by game and see where we are at the end.”
Guardiola still has high expectations of the success of FA Cup, with the Teatime fifth round of Saturday against gigantic Killers Plymouth Argyle following the agenda.
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