Rayan Cherki has undoubtedly just experienced the most accomplished week of his young Manchester City career . Brilliant on Wednesday in the League Cup against Swansea, scoring a goal and providing an assist, the Frenchman confirmed his form on Sunday against Bournemouth in the Premier League with two assists for Erling Haaland. In four days, the former Lyon player reminded everyone, and especially Pep Guardiola , why he is considered one of the most talented players of his generation. Long hampered by a thigh injury sustained in August and also by the competition in the Sky Blues' attacking positions, Cherki had seen very little playing time since the start of the season. But Guardiola, who has never hidden his admiration for the Frenchman, finally gave him his chance: " Rayan is one of the most talented players I have ever seen in my career. Technically, individually… He's at the top!" The question is how it fits into what we want to do, how it reads each action, what the game needs .
Against Swansea in the League Cup round of 16 , the 22-year-old playmaker didn't falter. Delivering a masterful performance, capped by an assist for Marmoush and a late goal, Cherki led City to a 3-1 victory. "I feel great, I hadn't played for a very long time. I'm happy to help my teammates. I just want to play, enjoy myself, and contribute ," he said after the match. Just four days later, Pep Guardiola once again placed his trust in the Frenchman against Bournemouth, this time in a crucial league match against the Premier League's second-placed team. Starting alongside Erling Haaland and Phil Foden in attack, he illuminated the game with his technical precision and creativity. In the 17th minute, he delivered a superb headed pass to the Norwegian striker, before playing him another through ball for the 2-1 goal (33rd minute). The result: Manchester City won 3-1 and climbed back into second place in the league.
A natural complementarity with Haaland
Speaking to Canal+ , Cherki was keen to pay tribute to his teammate: “ Playing with a player of his caliber is easy, it’s simple. I don’t need to think for 50 years, or even open my eyes. By closing my eyes, I can put the ball exactly where he needs it, however he wants it, however he wants it, and then he just has to do the job. Now, the coach has said it clearly: he’s not the only one who has to score in the team. We, the forwards and attacking midfielders, also have to help him, score goals and be decisive. Today, I’m happy to have given him two assists. I hope he’ll get around fifteen, maybe even twenty by the end of the season, that would be great. ” The bond between the two men extends beyond the pitch. Haaland and Cherki also get along very well off the field, and this understanding is felt on the pitch: one distributes, the other finishes, a natural alchemy between an inspired passer and a surgical centre-forward.
However, it wasn't easy for the Frenchman to establish himself in such a competitive squad. Pep Guardiola had often spoken about the difficulty of pairing his creative players together: "It's a possible option to play Cherki and Foden together, but you have to understand what it's like to play in the Premier League, with the physical demands that come with it. We have to find the right balance." But after his injury and gradual return to training, Cherki came back sharper than ever, ready to establish himself permanently. The fans, who had been clamoring for him to start before the match against Bournemouth on social media, finally saw their wish granted, and they certainly weren't disappointed. This week, Rayan Cherki didn't just perform well: he also delivered a resounding response to Pep Guardiola and all those who doubted his place in the Cityzens' project. Two matches, one goal, three assists, and a clear impression: the Frenchman is well and truly on his way. Since his arrival, Rayan Cherki has been decisive every 55 minutes for Manchester City: 3 goals and 4 assists in 391 minutes played. Manchester City may have just discovered their new top-class attacking weapon after De Bruyne's departure to Napoli. The Lyon native is now vying for a starting place against Dortmund this Wednesday in the Champions League.
0 Comments