10 | Rayan Cherki - 2025/26

Ivan Lentil said:
Once he fully understands Pep’s system and improves his decision making he’ll be unstoppable
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The main thing he's expected to improve is his off the ball work-rate. He didn't start at Anfield and might not start at the Bernabeu due to that weakness. Technically, he's on another level to Marmoush and Semenyo but can't press like them.

The comparison with David is a bit off so far, for David worked very hard out of possession.
 
alexmcity said:
The main thing he's expected to improve is his off the ball work-rate. He didn't start at Anfield and might not start at the Bernabeu due to that weakness. Technically, he's on another level to Marmoush and Semenyo but can't press like them.

The comparison with David is a bit off so far, for David worked very hard out of possession.
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The thing is I think he’s improved massively with his pressing game. When he came on against Newcastle and also against Leeds he was chasing the ball down an numerous occasions and won it back a fair few times
 
Needs to be closer to the goal. The one time he moved in the Bernardo space to the right, he produced. At the moment, Guiordiola is using him to control the game, stifling his creative ability.
 
Thought he was far too content to slow the game down to a standstill and pass the ball backwards when the forward pass was on.

At other times the forward pass was never on but he actuallly executed it.

Don’t think he’s used to Pep and the team are used to him yet, but he needs to do the simple things better than going immensely simple and just standing everyone up or going backwards.
 
He provided an assist and created two scoring opportunities for Bernardo and Haaland.

Of course, he can always do better, but along with Rodri, Semenyo, and Ait Nouri, they're the last players you can fault for tonight's match.

 
I think the problem is Pep’s in his head too much. After every pass/action Cherki looks to Pep for approval.

On one hand you can argue that deference to the greatest coach in history will help him develop into a better player.

On the other hand that constant need or seek for approval can make his game less natural.

I feel Pep wants Cherki to pick his moments better. In essence, he wants him to play 100 boring short passes to keep the rhythm clicking. Then 5/105 should be actions aimed at creating something.

Pep has always been adamant that he needs players in his team who provide chaos and those who provide control. I think he views Cherki as someone who can do both, but needs to understand when to do one over the other. That’s a process and it will be learned over time.

That being said I thought he had a great game, but it explains why his style has been a bit different these last few weeks. He’s trying to solidify his starting spot for the run-in, and listening to Pep is the only way he’ll be in the starting lineups weekly.
 
Junto said:
I think the problem is Pep’s in his head too much. After every pass/action Cherki looks to Pep for approval.

On one hand you can argue that deference to the greatest coach in history will help him develop into a better player.

On the other hand that constant need or seek for approval can make his game less natural.

I feel Pep wants Cherki to pick his moments better. In essence, he wants him to play 100 boring short passes to keep the rhythm clicking. Then 5/105 should be actions aimed at creating something.

Pep has always been adamant that he needs players in his team who provide chaos and those who provide control. I think he views Cherki as someone who can do both, but needs to understand when to do one over the other. That’s a process and it will be learned over time.

That being said I thought he had a great game, but it explains why his style has been a bit different these last few weeks. He’s trying to solidify his starting spot for the run-in, and listening to Pep is the only way he’ll be in the starting lineups weekly.
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Your first point is something I really noticed - Cherki is a street player, a bit of a maverick and in every game creates chances even if not at his best. The key has to be finding a system that allows him the freedom to do the extraordinary. A good sign for me is he is now constantly on the move wanting to get on the ball but often he checks his natural instinct - I can imagine he gets a bolloxing from Pep when he loses the ball trying something different.

Weird that both Phil and Savinho have seemingly more licence when they make mistakes but perhaps Pep knows that Cherki has the ability to become one of the world's top players. Problem is if he is constantly criticised for being who he is he may turn into a Dimitri Payet rather than a David Silva.
 
He does seem to crave Pep's approval a lot and I think it's stunting the flow of his game a bit, he's not as spontaneous because he's so afraid to make a mistake.
 
There seems to be a correlation between Cherki starting and us dropping points.

Sunderland, Chelsea, Spurs and now Forest. We have only beaten Leeds and Wolves with him starting in 2026.

He is clearly very talented but he slows the game to a snails pace and has very little work rate so I still think he is best as an impact sub.
 
ALDN_Ko said:
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Based on this summary alone, without all those missed opportunities, he must have twice as many assists and would surely be the Premier League's best passer right now. And to think this is his first season here at 22 years old, having only played 2000 minutes due to his two-month injury layoff.
 
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