10 | Rayan Cherki - 2025/26

Don’t know if anyone else saw it but Ruben did the team talk at the beginning of the match , then in the game Cherki was conducting the attack with Haaland.

Telling Reijnders and Phil where to go, told Nunes to go inside a couple of times.

He may be a mavrick but I’ve seen a few Lyon fans say he’s a quiet leader, will do a team talk if he needs too but mostly shows leadership on the pitch. Because he loves what he does and loves football.
 
I'd say that Robinho was probably the last player we've had at City who combined world class flair with high level execution (albeit only when he could be arsed). Mahrez not far behind.

Cherki has unbelievable imagination and more often than not he has the technique to make it happen. The way he makes something so impossibly difficult look effortless is just sublime.

When added to all of his other strengths you just can't wait to watch him again and again.
 
World class. That term gets used loosely but with this lad it's warranted, his technique is on another plane from everyone in our squad.

I said a couple of weeks back that he'll be the best player in England once he's fully integrated, and I stand by that.
 
His secret is a rare combination of being incredibly two-footed and having a top footballing brain. Thus he's able to see things in advance and is hard to predict (is he going to pass or shoot with his left or his right foot?).

He isn't as athletic as Kevin but he is technically more gifted in small spaces (like David).

With every passing game it's more and more puzzling that there wasn't a much bigger interest in him. He seems far more creative than Bellingham and is likely to have better G/A numbers than most of the expensive attacking players in the world.

Of course, the presumption is that he is going to keep that level (or to improve further given he's 22).
 
I don't think I'm exaggerating to say he's made this team click.

That player that you can always look to and implicitly trust to take the ball in any situation. Gives anyone on the ball different options, which means we lose the ball less, the opposition press becomes less effective, everyone grows in confidence and it just snowballs.

Add in the fact that he can open any defence in the blink of an eye.
 
TurboDuo said:
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That clip highlights an ability that special players have - the ability to forget what they've just done and immediately settle down to think about the next move.

You often see lesser players pull something off and everything about their body language ramps up - hence the number of times you'll see one beat a couple of players brilliantly, then excitedly blaze over the bar when it would be easier to score.

This calmness/clear train of thought probably comes from being able to take your own skill for granted, but whatever the reason, he has it.
 
He's great but he went into showboat mode second half and Pep was right to hook him imo. He's gonna turn this lad into an absolute monster. Probably has the highest ceiling of any player playing at the moment. A few tweaks on when to bring the skills out and getting him into a real elite physical condition and I think we have a future Balon D'or winner.
 
I’ve been a season ticket holder for 53 years and I have never seen anyone in our team like Rayan Cherki. I still cannot quite believe what I am seeing.

I have become ever more cautious about judging players on limited evidence so I am making no predictions about this guy but I just hope he is taking onboard everything Pep is telling him because if Rayan wants to make the most of he natural ability, Pep is the guy to help him.
 
OB1 said:
I’ve been a season ticket holder for 53 years and I have never seen anyone in our team like Rayan Cherki. I still cannot quite believe what I am seeing.

I have become ever more cautious about judging players on limited evidence so I am making no predictions about this guy but I just hope he is taking onboard everything Pep is telling him because if Rayan wants to make the most of he natural ability, Pep is the guy to help him.
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Oh yes, what a player we have. Nowhere near his peak yet.
We have been so lucky to have players that take your breath away and almost make you wet yourself in anticipation of that rare ability to do the unexpected.
I think there is a long and glorious line of players like this from my City watching to date starting with Tueart, Barnes, Francis, Kinkladze, Creaney (gotcha!!), KDB, Sane and now Cherki.
Long may it continue
 
Absolute elite world class player and getting better and priceless. We have got a fucking star on our hands .
 
OB1 said:
I’ve been a season ticket holder for 53 years and I have never seen anyone in our team like Rayan Cherki. I still cannot quite believe what I am seeing.

I have become ever more cautious about judging players on limited evidence so I am making no predictions about this guy but I just hope he is taking onboard everything Pep is telling him because if Rayan wants to make the most of he natural ability, Pep is the guy to help him.
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IMO he is similar to Bernarbia in that he brings more out of others. Bernarbia made Goater and Huckerby look amazing the Championship winning season.

I just hope that Pep allows him to lead by expressing himself. We need at least one free thinker in the squad.

I can't wait for Doku to return to get the benefit of a more dominant Cherki.

I also think both Foden and Reijnders would be lost without this new injection of creativity.
 
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