**Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku has explained why he resisted typical coaching during his developing days and why statistics don’t guide his performances.**
The Belgium international has been one of Pep Guardiola’s most reliable players this season, producing standout performances against the Napoli in the UEFA Champions League and Liverpool in the Premier League.
Most recently, City made light work of Turkish side Galatasaray on the final day of their European group-stage campaign but it was ultimately Doku who helped his side qualify for the Round of 16 by providing two assists inside 29 minutes before hobbling off injured less than 10 minutes before the interval.
Doku is known for his blistering acceleration and an exceptional ability to beat defenders using his rapid change of pace. Perhaps however, the strongest part of his game is his success rate when taking on defenders and subsequent propensity to create chances.
His dribbling has often been seen as overcomplicated by coaches but the 23-year-old has pointed to his early experiences in street football to explain how his style of play hasn’t altered despite repeated calls to simplify his game the Belgian
In an interview with [TNT Sports Brazil](https://x.com/fredcaldeira/status/2016207282879504426?s=20), Doku said: “When I was younger, obviously, I played a lot on the street. Played a lot on the street and I tried to bring that also on the pitch,” as relayed by [Sport Witness](https://sportwitness.co.uk/the-stats-will-follow-manchester-city-player-says-he-needs-freedom-to-express-himself/).
“I remember when I was young, a lot of the coaches told me, like, ‘Play simple, pass,’ and I just kept on doing what I did. When they saw that it was working, they obviously let me do my thing.
“And that’s something that I always kept inside of me. So confident when I’m on the ball and trying to find the space and trying to dribble my way out. That’s where I feel comfortable with the ball, and that’s always what I’m gonna try to do.”
Doku’s importance at City has been underpinned by his output in the final third this term but in a football world obsessed with statistics, the winger’s talent still doesn’t stand out as much as it should.
In 114 games for City, Doku has scored 17 goals, provided 31 assists and has grown into one of the most threatening attackers in the Premier League since leaving Rennes for the Etihad Stadium, where his role has only complimented his strengths.
The Belgium international admitted that he would never allow statistics to disrupt his game, though he does believe that the numbers will follow him if he continues to reach unprecedented heights at the Etihad club.
“(Dribbling) is not just having fun. Obviously, it needs to be effective, but I’ll never be a stat guy that’s so much focused on the stats instead of focusing on his game,” he added.
“I feel like the stats will overflow out of my game so I’m more focused on what I have to do – and I believe that the stats will follow afterwards.”
Doku went off injured against Galatasaray last week and has been ruled out of featuring in the return leg of Manchester City’s Carabao Cup semi-final tie against Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.