Pep Guardiola and Rayan Cherki have put a narrative to bed surrounding the Manchester City marvel
Pep Guardiola and Rayan Cherki have put a narrative to bed surrounding the Manchester City marvel When Manchester City signed Rayan Cherki from Lyon last summer, there were question marks surrounding how the French international would fit into a Pep Guardiola side. Cherki’s talent was never in question, however, his work out of possession was in some circles . As the 2025-26 season has progressed, Rayan Cherki has emphatically put any doubts about his fit into this City side to bed, both with his play in possession and his work to help his team out of possession in terms of his high pressing.
Cherki has put any doubts about his fit into this City side to bed, as has Pep Guardiola, who explained after Manchester City’s 3-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge what he expects from Cherki when his team doesn’t have the ball. Rayan Cherki does all that he needs to do to aid the cause of Manchester City out of possession. Rayan Cherki’s prodigious impact and talent on the ball for Manchester City is obvious to see; it has been all season.
The French international has become a key player in this City side, and his last three performances against Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea show how valuable and dangerous Cherki is. At times, Cherki resembles the creative hub of this City side, especially playing in a free role of sorts that allows him to drift across the pitch from the right wing to the left. This role allows Cherki to receive the ball in dangerous areas of the final third and inflict maximum damage on Manchester City’s opponents.
When Manchester City signed Cherki last summer, this was expected from him given Rayan Cherki’s proven reputation as a playmaker. The questions that arose around Rayan Cherki’s fit into a Pep Guardiola side concerned his work without the ball, or more to the point, when possession was lost, or what role Cherki would play in Manchester City’s high press. This season, Cherki has put those doubts to bed.
When possession is lost, Cherki is willing and able to help his team. We saw this against Chelsea last Sunday. Also, Cherki is no slouch when helping his team press their opponents.