Rising Stars Jeremy Doku and Dominik Szoboszlai, Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen, and Plymouth's Impactful Subs: A Deeper Dive

Jeremy Doku showcased remarkable skill in Manchester City's 2-0 triumph against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Notably, his adeptness in maintaining possession in challenging situations was evident as he successfully completed 21 out of 22 passes at the Etihad Stadium.

Considered somewhat of an unpredictable choice by Pep Guardiola during the summer, Doku's inclusion marked a change in City's style, with an emphasis on incorporating players who excel at driving with the ball. Alongside Matheus Nunes and Mateo Kovacic, this strategic move seemed to be a deliberate response to counter the prevalence of man-marking strategies.

Doku has already demonstrated his worth by scoring against West Ham in the previous weekend, and he also outperformed everyone else in terms of completed dribbles against Forest. Among players who have attempted to beat their defenders 20 or more times this season, only Jack Grealish does so more frequently than him.

However, Doku has also showcased a different aspect of his game. No one won more duels against Forest, and Guardiola commended the winger for his overall performance in the game. Speaking in a press conference, Guardiola even admitted to being pleasantly surprised by Doku's abilities.

I am incredibly impressed by his abilities in one-on-one situations and his proficiency in tracking back. He has a keen eye for finding the extra pass and doesn't overdo his running in two-against-ones. He is an intelligent player, consistently making unexpected decisions in the final third.

Guardiola was aware that he had signed a talented player in Doku, but he was pleasantly surprised by just how exceptional he was: "I anticipated remarkable speed and skill in one-on-one situations, but I did not expect him to possess the composure and decision-making abilities in the final third..." This player is truly refined.

How Szoboszlai is shining for Liverpool

Another new arrival to the Premier League who is making waves at a formidable club is Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool. While Mohamed Salah deservedly received the player of the match accolade in their 3-1 victory against West Ham on Sunday, Szoboszlai showcased his exceptional skills and elegance on the field.

Szoboszlai is unquestionably the one captivating the audience with his seamless flicks and mesmerizing tricks. While there is ongoing scrutiny over Liverpool's midfield balance and the utilization of Alexis Mac Allister as a deep-lying playmaker, Szoboszlai's abilities leave no room for doubt.

He excels at both retrieving the ball for his team and providing defensive support, as well as contributing with his exceptional ball control. This aspect of his game was recently emphasized by his former coach, Rene Maric, who praised his discipline and impressive distribution skills.

"His proficiency in maintaining ball possession and circulation is remarkable due to his capability to evade pressure and deliver accurate passes," Maric shared with We. "He possesses an innate desire to be involved in the game and possesses a problem-solving mentality."

Outperforming every other player on the field, Szoboszlai showcased exceptional control with an astonishing 104 touches. What truly sets him apart is not just the quantity, but the quality of these touches. Particularly in the final third, he successfully executed 30 passes, surpassing other players by a significant margin of eight. It was through his exemplary contribution that Liverpool effectively dominated the match, leaving their opponents helpless.

How Alonso is thriving at Leverkusen

Meanwhile, Germany would undoubtedly be eager to secure Klopp as their national team manager after Hansi Flick's departure. However, Klopp is not yet prepared to conclude his thrilling journey with Liverpool. When the time eventually comes, Xabi Alonso is expected to be among the top contenders to take over the reins.

Steven Gerrard was previously considered as a potential candidate for the job. However, as he currently resides in Saudi Arabia, it is his former midfield partner, Alonso, who is experiencing great success at Bayer Leverkusen. Despite inheriting a team that was facing difficulties in October, Alonso has managed to bring them to a point where they are now on par with Bayern Munich, occupying the top spot in the Bundesliga.

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Xabi Alonso has inspired a dramatic turnaround in Bayer Leverkusen's fortunes

The transformation has been remarkable as he has demonstrated his abilities in the role, successfully managing the difficult initial months with a team lacking confidence. He skillfully transitioned towards a possession-oriented style of play while maintaining their speed on counterattacks.

When visiting Leverkusen earlier this year, Alonso, who previously coached Real Sociedad B in Spain's lower leagues for three seasons, justified the decision to Leverkusen's sporting director, Simon Rolfes.

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"He is a visionary," Rolfes informed We. "Consistently focused on his work, perpetually contemplating ways to enhance and resolve situations. This was evident. He possesses a profound understanding of the game. I was certain that our progress would be propelled by his presence.

"However, akin to players, it is difficult to predict the outcome when it comes to appointing a head coach. With players, you can observe their performances and assess their abilities. With a head coach, one must constantly scrutinize on-field events and draw informed conclusions to provide feedback."

Leverkusen have had an impressive start to the season on the pitch, winning six out of their first seven games across all competitions. They have been scoring over four goals per game and their only non-victory was a 2-2 draw against Bayern while playing away.

Considering his current performance, there is a possibility that Alonso might become the manager of Liverpool in the future. With the way things are going, he could even return to the club as a Bundesliga champion.

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Steven Schumacher, a former Everton apprentice, may not be considering the Liverpool job, but every club in the country should take note of his exceptional use of substitutes. When it comes to impacting games from the bench, there is no one better.

Plymouth Argyle's 6-2 victory over Norwich on Saturday saw Luke Cundle score a goal in the 97th minute, his second as a substitute this season. While this goal may have been inconsequential to the final outcome, it is yet another example of a recurring trend that was a significant characteristic of their successful promotion-winning campaign.

Last season, Plymouth stood out as the team in the top four divisions that scored the highest number of goals through substitutes, amounting to an impressive tally of 23. The skillful management of the bench by Schumacher played a crucial role in the club's triumphant return to the Championship after a 13-year absence.

During a conversation with Sammy Lander, a consultant substitute coach engaged with various clubs, it became evident that this aspect of the game is largely overlooked, even by some of the most prominent clubs. It is crucial to alter the perception of this role.

Lander emphasized the significance of dispelling the negative stigma associated with being a substitute in order to have a well-prepared player who will go above and beyond. Lander cited We that Schumacher's endeavors at Plymouth can serve as a model for others.