10 | Rayan Cherki - 2025/26

[alexmcity]

He played on the right for Lyon.

City don't play like Lyon, though. Pep has played Cherki centrally so far, including in the CWC and the PL.

 

[domalino]

Just play Phil in Reijnders's position. Reijnders might have the energy, but he does nothing with it so it's not like we look any different than we did while Cherki was injured.

Or just play Phil on the wing? The position he scored 30 goals from and got POTY in 23/24?

Doku Haaland Foden
Cherki-Rodri-AN Other
Nico-Gvardiol-Stones-Khusanov

 

[MCFC1993]

He's class but I'd play him off the right side for now. I'd rather bench one of our wingers instead of Foden.

Think you start Foden out there but just tell him and Cherki to float near each other, maybe get Nunes on the overlap.

 

[alexmcity]

I'd argue it doesn't matter who plays in that role because we're too easy to play through regardless. At least if we're easy to play through Cherki gives us a bigger goal/chance threat than Reijnders does.

No, you need a player who can run up and down. Reijnders and Gonzalez can do it. One from Foden and Cherki in midfield, not both, unless we play a poor team.

 

[Withnail]

Class act and is a joy to watch. He ran the show tonight but there is a lot more to come.

 

[blue_danube]

Or just play Phil on the wing? The position he scored 30 goals from and got POTY in 23/24?

Doku Haaland Foden
Cherki-Rodri-AN Other
Nico-Gvardiol-Stones-Khusanov

Thought Phil operated more as a 10 or more centrally in that season because De Bruyne missed most of it? That's why there was so much clamour for Southgate to play him in his "right position" in euro 2024, at the end of that season

 

[Sam69]

I didn't think Pep would let him play 96 minutes; he hadn't started in two months. But in the end, he played the whole match. While celebrating his goal, he asked his teammates to pull his leg because he had a cramp.

Otherwise, a brilliant performance. With more games, he'll get back into form and show his full potential.

 

[Nickyweaver01]

Love watching him tonight. Our forwards will love playing with him. Should start every match.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

He’s like an amalgamation of the Silvas.

 

[The Stockport Iniesta]

City don't play like Lyon, though. Pep has played Cherki centrally so far, including in the CWC and the PL.

I just think it's easier for Cherki to nail down a starting position that he's used to playing, because he needs to play. Also I'd say he does a little bit less than Foden defensively, and takes more risks with the ball for someone playing centrally.

Don't forget Pep played Foden wide until he thought he was ready to move centrally. I'm not particularly happy with our right wing options either so playing someone who's head and shoulders a better player than our current options, and used to the position just makes sense to me. There's an argument he would have a bit more freedom cutting in from the right as well, but he can go both ways.

Btw, I'm a big fan of his, I just want to see him in the team each week.

 

[Dr Jacoby]

Probably the most naturally gifted player we’ve had at this club in the last 10 years.

 

[The Stockport Iniesta]

Probably the most naturally gifted player we’ve had at this club in the last 10 years.

You've obviously never seen Kalvin Phillips play.

 

[Dr Jacoby]

You've obviously never seen Kalvin Phillips play.

 

[MCFC1993]

Pure class.

 

[tackeds]

Mustard. Bloody hell.

 

[WallyA]

Thought Phil operated more as a 10 or more centrally in that season because De Bruyne missed most of it? That's why there was so much clamour for Southgate to play him in his "right position" in euro 2024, at the end of that season

Im pretty sure your right, I remember Phil's crazy haul happened when he played as a 10.

The very easily solution is to play dual 10s in Foden and Cherki behind Haaland, where the fullbacks tuck in to provide midfield support.

The other way is you can have Foden drift inside at RW, but you need a proper RB threat in Nunes, Khus doesn't offer much here.

 

[red 2 hats]

Brilliant player just what we need

 

[Nevizade]

I know the opposition was fairly ordinary.

I remember Jay Spearing being the next Steven Gerrard on the back of one performance.

But bloody hell, this boy can really really play.

 

[dadnlad]

haaland will love that little through ball

 

[ChicagoBlue]

Or just play Phil on the wing? The position he scored 30 goals from and got POTY in 23/24?

Doku Haaland Foden
Cherki-Rodri-AN Other
Nico-Gvardiol-Stones-Khusanov

Doku-Haaland-Foden
NOR-Reijnders-Rodri-Cherki
Gvardiol-Stones-Khusanov

Savinho-Marmoush-Bernardo
RAN-Nico-Kova-Lewis
Ake-Dias-Nunes

…Bobb

Get everyone fit, a bit of mix and match, as needed, and Bobb’s yer sad uncle, until
Bernardo leaves!

Get ourselves another striker, another CB, and another strong DM/AM and this squad looks golden for a few years to come!