10 | Rayan Cherki - 2025/26

I remember during the time City were in for Cherki and I was really nervous because so many teams were after him. But the night I totally panicked was the night he came on for France against Spain and completely transformed the game. His brilliant goal and assists showed to the world what an incredibly talented player he was. I actually wanted him to play crap that night haha!! for obvious reasons as City seemed to be very close to sealing the deal. After that game finished I remember being really worried and thinking that every big team would try to scupper the transfer to City.

Thank God it all worked out in the end.
 
Thanks for the essay, but it shows Dugarry wasn't a great player, exactly what I said in my post. I didn't try to make the case that he was a great or top player, only that his career wasn't poor (unless you compare him to top players). That he was signed by Barca and Milan shows he wasn't considered poor.

Please don't write an essay on the meaning of 'poor' now :)

That's just banter, Sam69. I like your posts. And I completely trust you about Dugarry's comments on football matters. That's why I indicated that his criticisms were silly.
I also really appreciate your contributions. I generally share your opinions; we have the same vision and sensibility regarding football.

I also took advantage of your message to clarify things for @Gumzy97, who is wondering about the reasons for the attacks by the French media against Cherki.

It's important to understand that in recent years, the level of debate about football has declined significantly in France. It wasn't great before, but at least there was some analysis. Now, with the rise of social media, the focus is more on creating controversy and generating buzz to get clicks and views than on substantive discussion. There have never been so many defamation lawsuits as recently; the most recent being the national team coach's case against the controversial pundit Daniel Riolo.

The last football program broadcast on the main national network, after 48 years on the air, has announced its official cancellation this June.

We're envious of shows like the CBS Sports program hosted by Kate Abdo, featuring Thierry Henry, which combined humor and quality match analysis, where players eagerly rushed to the microphone, or "Match of the Day," or programs with knowledgeable, insightful, and composed pundits like Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer…

Unfortunately, this kind of quality programming has disappeared from our media landscape.
 
Cherki was deliberately demonstrating he / City were in command at that point. He was demonstrating dominance. I wouldn't characterise that as arrogant, it was mind games, but some might.it's fine by me so long as it does not come back and bite him / us on the bum on Sunday.
Twenty minutes to go and 2 nil down in a cup final. They wouldn't come out to press, so he took the piss. They deserved it. He'll get a few late ones on Sunday. Dickheads like Ben White won't be able to resist. Cherki will still be the most creative player on the pitch.
 


Already getting this sort of acknowledgment amongst his peers, I said he was better footballer than Bruno in a group chat the other day and got hell for it. Nice to know I wasn’t just being a biased blue! Wouldn’t it be something if he has a few more big games towards the end of the season, could be in contention for POTY although probably too late.
 
Probably the same as Zlatan

Zlatan's career at Barca died partly because he was a dickhead and partly because Pep came up with a great idea: Messi as a false 9.

I think most of those who are bigheaded enough to snub Pep make a mistake. Bellingham might be one of them. Could have learned a lot from Pep how to develop as a midfield player. He's pretty young but his best days may be behind him.

If Cherki is smart enough to listen to Pep, he can go very far.
 
Zlatan's career at Barca died partly because he was a dickhead and partly because Pep came up with a great idea: Messi as a false 9.

I think most of those who are bigheaded enough to snub Pep make a mistake. Bellingham might be one of them. Could have learned a lot from Pep how to develop as a midfield player. He's pretty young but his best days may be behind him.

If Cherki is smart enough to listen to Pep, he can go very far.
I love, love, love Zlatan - who had the extreme misfortune of playing during the era of both Messi and fake Ronaldo.

At any rate, Pep seems to value Cherki's cheeky brilliance and unorthodoxy enough to feature him as our starting #10 - which I approve of. To Cherki's credit, he does seem to put in a lot more effort on defense/pressing than I expected.

Which is to say - I love Zlatan - even if you do not - and I love Cherki at 10 - especially because he's putting in an effort to press/defend.
 
Rayan Cherki Ki Ki
He’s a blue and he loves City
Rayan Cherki Ki Ki
He’s the best player in the league
From the left, from the right, he sets them up from anywhere
Rayan Cherki Ki Ki
Something something rhymes with T

To the choon of Agadoo everyone?
 
Rayan Cherki Ki Ki
He’s a blue and he loves City
Rayan Cherki Ki Ki
He’s the best player in the league
From the left, from the right, he sets them up from anywhere
Rayan Cherki Ki Ki
Something something rhymes with T

To the choon of Agadoo everyone?
I particularly like the last line
 

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