10 | Rayan Cherki - 2025/26

[Chak19]

Why should he be on the right when he's more of a No 10?

I don't think Phil will be benched, but Cherki can alternate positions with him when they're playing

 

[pbueno16]

Would be criminal of Pep to not give him a run in the side if he didn't pick up an injury during his celebration. Conundrum is where you fit Phil, Bernardo or Savinho/Bobb.

 

[Gabriel]

He needs to be given the freedom de Bruyne enjoyed and be allowed to wander. Playing him on the wing would be cruelty. Once the others play with him more, they’ll dare to make the runs no matter how impossible it seems.

 

[alexmcity]

I don't think Phil will be benched.

The only question is whether Phil is better at 10 than Cherki. The better option starts. Right now it's Foden, but Cherki shows signs of being the better creator.

Foden looks more capable of helping the FB than Cherki. Can't see Cherki tracking back as a typical winger.

 

[BlueMonkey79]

Has to play more often now. Might also give Foden a kick up the arse knowing someone could potentially be as technically gifted as he is.

 

[pbueno16]

The only question is whether Phil is better at 10 than Cherki. The better option starts. Right now it's Foden, but Cherki shows signs of being the better creator.

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.

 

[City_Sean]

I think we have to find him a position in the team. He brings such an incredible level of creativity. Took his goal superbly too.

 

[MCFC1993]

That was like watching David Silva at times tonight, highest praise I can give him.

 

[alexmcity]

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.

That's an option. Reijnders is a better, more powerful carrier of the ball, Foden is arguably better at creating chances

Having both Foden and Cherki in midfield can work vs average teams, but the midfield would be too soft and easy to play through. Won't happen.

 

[MCFC1993]

I think we have to find him a position in the team. He brings such an incredible level of creativity. Took his goal superbly too.

Has to be starting.

 

[SiMCFC]

Fantastic tonight, looking fitter as well!

 

[pbueno16]

That's an option. Reijnders is a better, more powerful carrier of the ball, Foden is arguably better at creating chances

Having both Foden and Cherki in midfield can work vs average teams, but the midfield would be too soft and easy to play through. Won't happen.

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.

 

[Alexia_Ko]

Brilliant performance across the 90 mins. Always driving the team forward

 

[citytill1die84]

Doku Haaland Foden

Cherki Rodri Reijnders

O'Reily Gvardiol Stones Khusanov

Donnarumma

Put Foden back on the right side.

 

[dragonman98]

Well, special shout out to Wirtz for rejecting Pep, so City ended up with a much better talent with a much much cheaper price.

 

[The Stockport Iniesta]

Why should he be on the right when he's more of a No 10?

He played on the right for Lyon.

 

[stan bowles]

Deserved that goal for his quality and invention tonight. Need to see more of him starting (Reijnders can sit a few out for me).

 

[Thaksinssoldier]

One thing I noticed is he was consistently moving despite others standing still.

He’s gonna thrive once we sort some other bits out.

 

[jollylescott]

Brilliant performance. I was extremely impressed by his work rate. He seemed to be everywhere!

 

[The Stockport Iniesta]

Why didn't he play against Villa from the start at weekend.

Should be playing behind Haaland at no10 for the rest of the season.

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.