Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterTo make the transition from talented youth prospect to a top-level professional, a player will need plenty of qualities, not least talent, dedication and luck.What also helps is having elite influences to help guide and shape your young career.For Jeremy Doku, the journey from Anderlechts academy to the Manchester City first team has been made possible by two of the key figures in Citys recent history in Vincent Kompany and Pep Guardiola.Doku on working with Vincent KompanyDokus professional career began at Anderlecht, with Kompanys arrival as a player-manager a key part in his development.Vincent Kompany came to Anderlecht, first as a coach and also as a player, Doku recalls to FourFourTwo. Playing next to him, him giving me passes he was a legend for City, so it was a privilege. You may like I dont remember Pep Guardiola telling me before a game, Jeremy, when you have the ball, do this and do that. He has given me a lot of freedom Jeremy Doku on the advice his former Manchester City boss handed him I spoke with Pep Guardiola, and obviously you dont need a lot of convincing to go to Manchester City. He showed his interest in me, which made me comfortable signing Jeremy Doku on how his Etihad move came about I spoke with Jurgen Klopp, with Sadio Mane, but signing for Liverpool didnt feel right at that point Jeremy Doku on the Premier League move he turned down Although Kompany would step down as boss to focus on playing for one more year, he hung up his boots in 2020 to concentrate exclusively on management during Dokus final few months with the club.He taught me a lot, Doku continues. When he was my coach, he reminded me a lot of Pep. Im not surprised hes been so successful at Bayern Munich.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Doku made his Belgium debut as an 18-year-old when he was still playing under Kompany. A late substitute appearance against Denmark in the National League was followed by a start against Iceland, in which he scored in a 5-1 win.For Doku, playing alongside the likes of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku was a dream.It was crazy, because you watched them play on TV, then suddenly you were sitting next to them, he explains.I was one of the youngest there, but I always had the mentality that, Im young, but I want to prove to you guys that I deserve to be here.Thats what I did in training and I think I impressed them. Then, against Iceland, Kevin gave me an assist and I scored a nice goal.I fitted in quite well.TOPICSBelgiumWorld CupJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromChris FlanaganSenior Staff Writer
