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“I don’t really think” – Jeremy Doku admits lack of attention to statistics amid drive to develop under Pep Guardiola
Jeremy Doku had admitted that he does not ‘really think about statistics’, instead focussing attentions on developing as a player across the game under Pep Guardiola.
The Belgium international was widely viewed as the replacement for Riyad Mahrez when recruited by the reigning Premier League champions during the summer transfer window from French side Stade Rennais.
Doku has started life, particular in the Premier League, in exceptional form, having featured in 10 matches for Pep Guardiola’s side and delivering a total of two goals and five assists across his 646 minutes of match action.
For the most part, Jeremy Doku has started ahead of Jack Grealish on the left of Manchester City’s attacking three, although the England international’s fitness problems at the start of the new season have largely allowed for his teammate to take control of the role.
Speaking during a new interview with ManCity.com this week, the Belgium international revealed his belief at Pep Guardiola having the ability to take his game to ‘the next level’, having signed for the club during the recent summer transfer window.
“He can take me to the next level,” Doku admitted. “That’s also why I took this chance to come here (to Manchester City) because I know the manager and I know how he can help me to reach the top.
“He helps me a lot, especially on the details and he lets me be myself because you can see on the pitch that I am just being myself. He helps me with the details to be a better player. He helps me a lot.”
He continued, “I think I have made a good start. I play and I think when I first came here, people didn’t expect me to play, maybe not from the start. But I am doing it and that is good because it is a top team and playing minutes in this team is a good thing.
“I can always be better, be more efficient and help the team more in the final third. Those are some parts of the game that I can still work on, so it’s not perfect. But I think I am having a good start and I just need to keep going.”
The 21-year-old has had a sensational start to life at Manchester City since signing for the reigning Treble winners in late August, providing nine goal contributions across his opening appearances – the fourth highest total in Pep Guardiola’s first-team.
However, his contributions in front of goal and the figures attached to him are not something he focusses on, instead believing that the most important factor is to perform well across the duration of 90 minutes for Manchester City.
“Honestly, I don’t really think about statistics. I just want to play well and want to play a good game,” Doku admitted. “I am not the type of player that just wants to score one goal in a game and then be invisible for the rest of the game.
“I am the type of player that wants to be top during the game and if I don’t score or give assists, I help the team free up some space and let other people score. Being dangerous is also good for me.”
He went on to tell ManCity.com, “I am more about the performance and if I can add statistics to it then that is great. I think the basic thing for me is to just have good performances and then add the statistics.”
Jeremy Doku’s latest challenge could see him taken on Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur side on Sunday afternoon, and specifically facing the in-form Pedro Porro – formerly of Manchester City, despite having never made an appearance for the club.
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