But former Manchester City striker Paul Dickov believes Guardiola is absolutely right.
“Yes, I do,” Dickov told Football Presse when asked whether Doku belongs in that category.
“His performances this season, especially in the latter part of the season, have been world-class.”
Doku arrived at City with a reputation as one of Europe’s most electric dribblers, but also as a player whose raw talent still needed refining. There was never doubt about his pace, balance or ability to destroy defenders one-versus-one. The bigger question was whether he could consistently produce the numbers elite forwards are judged by.
According to Dickov, that evolution has now happened.
“We always knew the ability was there,” he explained.
“But the way his game has progressed this season, especially his end product — creating goals, scoring goals — he’s become an absolute nightmare for full-backs.”
That improvement in productivity has transformed Doku from an exciting winger into one of City’s most decisive attacking weapons. Opposition teams increasingly send two defenders towards him, yet Dickov says it rarely solves the problem.
“Teams are trying to double up against him now, which shows how dangerous he is,” he told Football Presse on behalf of gamblemind.co.uk.
For Dickov, much of the credit belongs to Guardiola, whose track record of refining attacking talent is already legendary.
“It’s a testament not just to Jeremy, but to Pep as well,” he said. “But you can tell Jeremy wants to listen and learn.”
That mentality, Dickov believes, is what separates elite footballers from talented entertainers.
“He wants to improve,” he explained. “He’s taken his game to a completely different level.”
As a former winger himself, Dickov says the modern game ultimately judges wide forwards on one thing above all else — numbers.
“As a winger, you get judged on assists and goals,” he said. “When he first came to the club, if there was any criticism, it was probably his numbers.
“Now he’s added that to his game.”
The frightening part for the rest of the Premier League, Dickov says, is that Doku may still be years away from his peak.
“The scary thing is he’s only 23,” he said. “People forget that.”
And while Guardiola grouped Doku alongside Vinícius and Yamal, Dickov believes the Belgian is rapidly proving he deserves to be mentioned there.
“People are already saying he’s one of the best in the world at the minute,” he said.
“So if he keeps progressing the way he is now… it’s going to be scary.”