A maverick untamed? Why Cherki splits opinion
Rayan Cherki caused a stir on social media with his antics at the Carabao Cup final. The Manchester City midfielder will be hoping to steal the show again in Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool. Videos were widely shared of the Frenchman juggling the ball mid-game, winking at the crowd after being fouled by Arsenal's Ben White and shoving manager Pep Guardiola at the full-time whistle before running off to celebrate victory with his team-mates.
Supporters rejoiced at his showboating at Wembley with the City Xtra , external website's Freddie Pye telling BBC Sport: "Cherki is refreshing to watch. He plays with freedom and shuts down the notion that players at City are restricted. "He is a pleasure of a footballer to witness and brings back the authentic excitement of the game.
" However, it enraged some pundits, with former Manchester United defender Gary Neville labelling Cherki "arrogant", and ex-Premier League manager Alan Pardew calling it "an insult in the pro game". It also seemingly left boss Guardiola unimpressed too - he stood on the touchline with his arms folded, shaking his head. But that triumphant Sunday encapsulated Cherki's personality - a free-spirited maverick that brings the chaos within City's disciplined system.
How do Man City replace captain Silva if he leaves? "I learned to play football in the streets, in the estates, on concrete. So, naturally it's my DNA and I'll never change that," Cherki said in July , external after joining City from Ligue 1 side Lyon.
Cherki has stuck to his word since moving to England and remains a crowd pleaser. There is an intake of breath from the crowd every time he gets the ball at Etihad Stadium. His catalogue of tricks and flicks in a City shirt this season would make for an impressive compilation on YouTube or TikTok.