Rayan Cherki’s Ascendancy at Manchester City

Rayan Cherki faced a thigh injury at the beginning of the 2025-26 season, but following his recovery, he has begun to play regularly for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. In nine matches across all competitions, Cherki has contributed three goals and three assists, gradually establishing himself as an essential member of the squad.

Cherki has been developing a strong partnership with Erling Haaland, notably assisting both of Haaland’s goals against Bournemouth in a recent Premier League match.

He is now with the French national team for upcoming World Cup qualifying matches. After observing Cherki in training, captain Kylian Mbappe praised the young talent, stating, “He’s a special talent. I think he has a gift, which he’s making the most of. It’s an innate, spectacular talent. He’s integrated very well into the group and into Manchester City, which isn’t easy. I hope he continues like this. He’s started well with us. Now he has the opportunity to return, and I hope he’s as good as he was at Manchester City.”

Guardiola, who has managed some of the world’s best players, including Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and Lionel Messi, regards Cherki as a talent of similar caliber. He noted in October, “Rayan is one of the most talented players I have ever seen in my career. His talent… he is top. The question is how he settles and how he needs to read actions. He started well at the Club World Cup but then had a few weeks off. Most of the time when the ball comes to him, the situation improves. But not every moment requires exceptional play—just play football. He has something unique; he is a player who doesn’t feel pressure. He is like a street player, always wanting the ball. He may need time to adapt, as football involves learning to play with teammates. However, intelligent players like him tend to grasp this quickly.”

Gael Clichy, a former player for City, Arsenal, and France, has also expressed admiration for Cherki, predicting that he could reach the level of Etihad Stadium legend Kevin De Bruyne. Clichy commented, “If we talk about the quality of the player, I haven’t seen anyone that good. That’s a bold statement, but I believe that if he can enhance his off-the-ball game, we could be discussing a player capable of matching De Bruyne’s stats. In tight spaces and crucial areas of the pitch, he poses a significant threat. This is essential at City, especially when facing a low-block defense. City seems to be somewhat lacking in quality on the wings, especially compared to previous players like Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez, and Leroy Sane, who were formidable opponents for defenders.”