10 | Rayan Cherki - 2025/26

[BLOOMUEN]

I’d be amazed if he’s not starting regularly by the end of the season. Control doesn’t just come from runners. Cherki, when acclimatised, will help with setting the tempo and gaining the control that we were once revered for. Love watching him already - seems to have an assuredness, when others panic. Once he’s got his head round the pace of the English game and becomes a bit more discerning about when to do his flicks, he may prove to be exactly what we’ve been looking for.

 

[Sam69]

 

[TFC]

As far as cameos go, that one was right up there with some of the more important that I can remember. His ability to hold on to the ball pretty much saw us over the line, created a great chance too. Love him.

 

[BluestBlue]

Still creates on big chance even though he only gets subbed on in the 80th. Gvardiol should’ve scored last night. I don’t understand why he doesn’t start

 

[bluealf]

Still creates on big chance even though he only gets subbed on in the 80th. Gvardiol should’ve scored last night. I don’t understand why he doesn’t start

After his last good sub performance, he started and was rubbish.

I think he has the potential to be a fantastic player, just a little inconsistent or still settling in, either or.

 

[BedsBlue68]

Still creates on big chance even though he only gets subbed on in the 80th. Gvardiol should’ve scored last night. I don’t understand why he doesn’t start

Problem is when he has started he has not performed like his cameos. Needs to get up to speed with the game and show more when he does to start regularly.

Othe problem is we also have Rejinders who is getting up to speed as well at the same time - midfield cant cope with both playing int he same midfield.

 

[OB1]

He's young, he's new to English football but he is gifted. Time and effort on his part is what is required.

 

[super_city_si]

Lord knows why Pep waited so long to bring him on. He was exactly what we were crying out for. Someone who wanted the ball, put his foot on it, kept it.
I think Pep will have learned a bit more about him last night. He clearly has the balls for high pressure moments. He wanted the ball. He wanted to be the guy you can trust.
If he's not quite fit for 90 mins then he needs to be a half time introduction to add control.

 

[super_city_si]

Problem is when he has started he has not performed like his cameos. Needs to get up to speed with the game and show more when he does to start regularly.

Othe problem is we also have Rejinders who is getting up to speed as well at the same time - midfield cant cope with both playing int he same midfield.

Reijnders first half for the blitz, Cherki second half for the kill?

 

[supercity88]

One of the few players we've signed that looks technically good enough to play the way you'd expect a Pep Guardiola side to.

 

[BedsBlue68]

Reijnders first half for the blitz, Cherki second half for the kill?

Seems to be a pattern that works so far - Rejinders is anonymous second half!

 

[dadnlad]

Seems to be a pattern that works so far - Rejinders is anonymous second half!

we sat back to much after 5 goal thinking job done

 

[Sam69]

He only started 5 out of the 20 matches we played this season.

He started once in August against Tottenham and was substituted in the 54th minute.

Then he was unavailable for two months.

After his return from injury in October:

He started 4 out of 12 matches.

He started against Swansea and played the entire match; he was very good (1 goal and 1 assist).

Then he started against Bournemouth and was very good (2 assists); he was substituted in the 73rd minute.

Then he started against Liverpool and came off in the 53rd minute; it was okay, he wasn't disastrous.

Then he started against Newcastle, made a perfect pass to Foden who should have scored, and was involved in Dias' equalizer. He was replaced in the 77th minute along with Doku, and all his creativity vanished.

He hasn't started many matches, and I don't see the disastrous matches you're talking about when he has started.

 

[BluestBlue]

Problem is when he has started he has not performed like his cameos. Needs to get up to speed with the game and show more when he does to start regularly.

Othe problem is we also have Rejinders who is getting up to speed as well at the same time - midfield cant cope with both playing int he same midfield.

Yep. The Liverpool game and the game after. Weird performances. Reinjders still has only had 1 and half good games since he joined. Foden x Cherki x Haaland is the best big 3 in the league. Thats the one that should be on the team sheet no matter what build around it. Plug whatever weaknesses it has

 

[simon23]

He clearly has a lot of technical skill and a very good footballing brain...he acutally helped calm that game down vs Fulham which Pep would have loved and noticed

The issue for Cherki is however he needs to improve his physicality ...you cant afford players who cant do the hard running in the prem ....a few seasons ago...maybe, but now the game has changed and we are seeing with Reijnders that if you have players that wont put the hard yds in and are good in a physical battle then it affects the whole team.....

Both Cherki and Reijnders need to adapt to the physical side of this league

 

[SamTheGuru]

He clearly has a lot of technical skill and a very good footballing brain...he acutally helped calm that game down vs Fulham which Pep would have loved and noticed

The issue for Cherki is however he needs to improve his physicality ...you cant afford players who cant do the hard running in the prem ....a few seasons ago...maybe, but now the game has changed and we are seeing with Reijnders that if you have players that wont put the hard yds in and are good in a physical battle then it affects the whole team.....

Both Cherki and Reijnders need to adapt to the physical side of this league

That is a really interesting point and puts things into perspective a little bit. David Silva was so shit for the first 6 months he played for us and was being beaten up all over the pitch, the rest of his story tells its own. The difference between now and then is that being substandard was normal then and at the moment we are trying to maintain a level of domination.

 

[citytill1die84]

Kin Gvardiol trying to square that chance ffs I was absolutely fuming lol

 

[The Fat el Hombre]

I'd have had him on earlier and thought he was class when he came on. You get him on the ball and things happen. The guys a killer. Got to start Saturday?

 

[simon23]

I would

That is a really interesting point and puts things into perspective a little bit. David Silva was so shit for the first 6 months he played for us and was being beaten up all over the pitch, the rest of his story tells its own. The difference between now and then is that being substandard was normal then and at the moment we are trying to maintain a level of domination.

I wouldnt say David Silva was ever "crap" - he adapted into the prem over the first few months but his initial impact was there for all to see and you could see the quality....a bit like Cherki. However the bit Im not seeing with Cherki is what Silva also showed from the off...a killer instinct, a fierce drive to win...he took it seriously from the off.
Cheri has come out with lines like " I just want to entertain"...thats great but you also need that absolute nastiness in you.....Silva, Aguero, Kompany, Zabba, Tevez - all had this from the start....
I dont see a killer in Cherki at all at present....I see huge talent and a great footballing brain - but the attitude he has as he floats around the pitch needs a nasty, killer streak adding to this to become an integral part of this team and a key player in the league..

The same can be said and in greater need with Reijnders as well - he is showing little spine at all to be involved. I watched him closely during Fulham.....the game was bypassing him constantly and there was no effort on his part to rectify this. He wasnt strong enough when challenging for the ball, no fight, nastiness and a distinct lack of effort off the ball - he basically appears extremely soft

Cherki to his credit isnt as bad as this but we have seen his best off the subs bench so far.....not when starting....can he grab the game by the balls like David Silva did pretty much every time he stepped on the pitch....An attitude adaption will be needed for that to happen......granted he (and Reijnders) need time for this to happen.

 

[Bentheblue]

I would

I wouldnt say David Silva was ever "crap" - he adapted into the prem over the first few months but his initial impact was there for all to see and you could see the quality....a bit like Cherki. However the bit Im not seeing with Cherki is what Silva also showed from the off...a killer instinct, a fierce drive to win...he took it seriously from the off.
Cheri has come out with lines like " I just want to entertain"...thats great but you also need that absolute nastiness in you.....Silva, Aguero, Kompany, Zabba, Tevez - all had this from the start....
I dont see a killer in Cherki at all at present....I see huge talent and a great footballing brain - but the attitude he has as he floats around the pitch needs a nasty, killer streak adding to this to become an integral part of this team and a key player in the league..

The same can be said and in greater need with Reijnders as well - he is showing little spine at all to be involved. I watched him closely during Fulham.....the game was bypassing him constantly and there was no effort on his part to rectify this. He wasnt strong enough when challenging for the ball, no fight, nastiness and a distinct lack of effort off the ball - he basically appears extremely soft

Cherki to his credit isnt as bad as this but we have seen his best off the subs bench so far.....not when starting....can he grab the game by the balls like David Silva did pretty much every time he stepped on the pitch....An attitude adaption will be needed for that to happen......granted he (and Reijnders) need time for this to happen.

Despite his boyish looks David Silva was as hard as nails and could be dirty little bugger. He was a fighter blessed with an amazing football brain and a tremendous amount skill. He did take a little while to get used to the PL but everything seemed to click after his goal at Blackpool.