Wales boss ready for reunion with 'special kid' Doku

WALES boss Craig Bellamy returns to Belgium for World Cup action admitting that the “challenging” Jeremy Doku made him a better coach at Anderlecht.

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Bellamy coached Doku during his time in Brussels before the player joined French club Rennes in a club-record 26 million euros move in October 2020 when just 18.

Doku went on sign for City in a £55.4m deal in August 2023 and has made over 80 appearances, winning the Premier League and the FIFA Club World Cup in his first season at the Etihad Stadium.

"He's a great kid and I played a small part, a tiny chink in his development," Bellamy said ahead of Monday's Group J qualifier in Brussels and a reunion with the Belgium winger.

"You have to understand his background (from a tough Antwerp area), the culture those players are from.

"His drive was insane, which I loved. You cannot treat every one the same. He's different, but challenging different.