Jack Grealish receives correction from Manchester City teammate over winger responsibilities | OneFootball

Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku has seemingly corrected the viewpoint of Jack Grealish when it comes to the responsibilities of a winger.

The Belgium international has began his latest campaign with Manchester City in blistering form, claiming one of the three Superior Player of the Match awards issued to Pep Guardiola’s players during the group stage of the FIFA Club World Cup.

That star showing came in the hugely impressive 2-5 victory over Juventus on matchday three, securing top spot in the group and ensuring a more favourable run of opponents in the knockout stage of the tournament.

Scoring his second goal for City in the United States, Doku set up a last-16 tie against the runners-up in Group H – Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal – and ensured that Pep Guardiola’s squad would avoid all of the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, PSG, and Borussia Dortmund.

And speaking to reporters after his Player of the Match-winning performance against the Italian giants, Jeremy Doku was quizzed on the duo of himself and right-sided attacker Savinho, and their continued growth in Manchester City’s system.

“Last season we played already together, but I think now we’re more adding goals and assists to our account and that’s what wingers are supposed to do,” the Belgium international said, in what could seem as a correction on Jack Grealish’s view.

“And I think at this tournament we’re doing it, so it’s good,” Doku added.

Grealish has frequently played down the importance of goals and assists in his own game whilst at Manchester City, stating in 2022, “For me, it’s not all about goals and assists. I think nowadays people get so worked up and clued in to goals and assists. Listen, they mean a lot for attacking players but I just don’t think football is just about that.”

Then, in 2024, the Englishman said, “I didn’t score or assist [against Crystal Palace] but played well, involved in most goals but everyone loves stats. I bring so much more than just goals/assists. If you watch the game you’ll see I played well, it’s just a shame everyone in the world loves stats.”

Later in that same month, the Manchester City winger also said, “Nowadays everyone loves to talk about goals and assists. It’s annoying the way the game has gone, because you can have a brilliant game and not get a goal or an assist and they say, ‘Ah, he didn’t do this or that’.”

The win over Juventus also saw an impressive pairing between Jeremy Doku and Rayan Ait-Nouri, with the new left-back arrival at Manchester City further building upon his debut for the club against Al Ain earlier in the group stage.

“Honestly, it’s a good connection,” Doku said of his link-up with the Algerian international down the left-hand side against Juventus.

“He came not long ago but the way he settled in fast, playing with a lot of freedom – honestly, I’m loving playing with him! And I’m happy that he’s doing well, as well. It’s good for the team!”

On the other new signings, Doku continued, “With Tijjani [Reijnders], I speak Dutch. With the two Rayan’s [Cherki/Ait-Nouri], I speak French. So all of them I think I had a good connection with them outside of the pitch, inside of the pitch as well.”