Pundit claims Man City have a player who doesn’t fit Pep Guardiola, it’s not Erling Haaland

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The Manchester City evolution under Pep Guardiola continues, as he looks to create the winning formula for his next superteam.

In nine years at the club, the Spanish coach has changed Premier League football, but it has changed him too.

While Manchester City struggled in their first season under the manager, they then went on to become champions six times, Champions League winners and domestic cup winners.

Last season saw the Cityzens regress to the mean, as reliable stars of old faded and that winning formula went missing.

Now, following some investment in the summer, Man City are looking at a slightly new way of playing.

With a shot-stopping goalkeeper put first in Gianluigi Donnarumma and the physical ability of Erling Haaland up front, it’s clear that this is a team focused on being more direct and transitional.

That may not fit the idea of what Pep Guardiola’s football is like, with several players who may not be typical of his tactical setup.

• READ MORE: Erling Haaland picks dream next transfer destination for potential move after Manchester City

Rob Green claims Jeremy Doku is a different tactical option for Pep Guardiola at Man City

Pep Guardiola has had many different types of wingers over the years, but they have often had one thing in common.

The tactical instruction has often been to keep them hugging the touchline, using width to stretch the opposition, creating chances to score.

That has often brought up questions about freedom for these stars to express themselves, with Jack Grealish the example often pointed at.

In Jeremy Doku, it seems as though Man City have a player who isn’t afraid to do that, though, as explained by former England goalkeeper Rob Green.

Speaking before Man City’s trip to Arsenal, he said on BBC 5 Live: “It’s very un-Pep-like to see Doku drift inside and then take on someone and do something spontaneous.

“I wonder if Jack Grealish is watching on somewhere, thinking, ‘Hang on a minute. Where was this when I was there?'”

Doku’s performance against Napoli showed just how impressive he can be, but it also gives some insight into the Man City evolution.

Haaland, for example, is another player who wouldn’t usually be associated with Guardiola’s style of play.

• READ MORE: Erling Haaland has now done something that has utterly overshadowed Man United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy

Jeremy Doku’s dribbling is important for Manchester City’s style

While the freedom given to Doku may not be very typical of Guardiola, what is familiar is just how outstanding his dribbling ability is.

The Manchester City star ranks in the 99th percentile for progressive carries, successful take-ons, touches and progressive passes in the top five European leagues over the past year, per FBRef.

Adding the 92nd percentile for shot-creating actions into the mix, Doku is clearly elite at bringing the ball forward and causing chaos.

The next question is whether he can improve on his end product.

The 23-year-old has only managed three goals in both of the past two Premier League campaigns, while he managed eight and six assists respectively.

If he can find a few more goals and assists in there, then he will truly become one of the best in the world.