If nobody expected the Hatters to win promotion from the Championship in 2023, fewer still imagined their bit-part utility man would be lionised on Match of the Day.
"Quite magnificent," was how pundit Martin Keown described a player who created more top-flight chances than Kevin De Bruyne last season.
Doughty eventually finished ninth in that particular metric, his tally of 70 (including eight assists) just two behind Chelsea star Cole Palmer and three adrift of Manchester City's Phil Foden.
What made Doughty's sudden emergence so incredible was not a lack of quality; that had been evident from his early days at Charlton, where he made his professional debut as an 18-year-old in 2018.
"Just outstanding," said former Addicks boss Lee Bowyer after Doughty had provided an assist against Sheffield Wednesday on his first-ever league start.
"He was playing against some of the best wingers in the division and he was excellent from start to finish.
This story is from the December 01, 2024 edition of The Football League Paper.
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This story is from the December 01, 2024 edition of The Football League Paper.
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