Doku (MCI, Midfielder, £6.6m)

Verdict: HOLD

Doku is fully fit and just delivered an assist haul, but managers must be wary of Pep's rotation despite promising upcoming fixtures.

The Reasoning

Fitness & Availability: Doku is fully available ('a') and there is no news regarding any injuries or suspensions, which is a massive plus for a Man City attacker.
Recent Performance: He just bagged a solid 8 points with two assists in Gameweek 14, showing his explosive potential. While his form has been a bit inconsistent with a few blanks recently, he's proven he can haul when given the minutes.
Upcoming Fixtures: City faces Fulham (A, Difficulty 3) and Sunderland (H, Difficulty 2) next, followed by Crystal Palace (A, Difficulty 3). These are generally favourable fixtures where City are expected to score, offering Doku good opportunities for attacking returns.
Underlying Stats: Doku boasts a strong ICT Index of 96.7, with high creativity (435.8) and threat (280.0). His expected assists (xA) have been decent in recent games, indicating he's creating chances and getting into dangerous positions when on the pitch.

Risks

The primary risk with Doku, as with many Man City assets, is the dreaded 'Pep roulette'. He is not nailed for 90 minutes every game, and rotation is a constant threat, which can lead to frustrating blanks. His inconsistency in recent gameweeks also highlights this risk.

Alternative Options

If you're looking for more consistent minutes at a similar price point, consider players like Anthony Gordon (£6.1m) at Newcastle or Cole Palmer (£5.6m) at Chelsea, who tend to be more nailed in their respective teams and have shown good form.

The Strategic Play

If you own Doku, holding him for these next two promising fixtures against Fulham and Sunderland makes sense, especially after his recent assist haul. He's a high-ceiling differential who can explode on his day. However, if you're bringing him in, ensure you have strong bench cover to mitigate the inevitable rotation. He's a great option for those chasing rank and willing to gamble on his explosive potential.

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