10 | Rayan Cherki - 2025/26

[bluemoon32]

Still very early days but he could turn into something special in time

 

[citytill1die84]

You can’t have watched Foden play on the wing before.

I've watched him absolutely loads of times thank you and he's currently a better RW than Savinho, Bobb and B.Silva who play there. He's also as good on the RW as he is in the middle.

 

[blueparrot]

'Foden won us the league' is a bit of overstatement, given that Haaland scored more league goals (27 vs 19) and Rodri was the best player in the world that season, contributing 17 GA in the league from DM.

Foden was a second striker in 23/24 as evidenced by his numbers: much more goals than assists.

It's not a given his numbers will be better than Cherki's in that position (behind Haaland). Cherki has scored as many goals this season as Foden while playing a lot fewer minutes.

The team comes first. Whoever makes us better in the 10 starts there. Also, there is not a single 10 role: a 10 may be a second striker or a playmaker or something else. In 23/24 Rodri made it possible to have both KDB and Foden in the team. Whether and how it is possible in 25/26 to have both Foden and Cherki without being defensively vulnerable is another question.

Foden has been playing deeper much more an 8 this season ,which is where I think he'll settle. He's also been playing it very well, it's just not as eyecatching a position.Ideally he'll play 8 ,Cherki 10 eventually. with combinations of Rodri/Gonzalez in the 6.

 

[richards30]

We should play Foden and Cherki and they can swap throughout the game in the 10 role and right wing.

 

[alexmcity]

Until Cherki scores 19 league goals in a single campaign (no penalties) from the number 10 position, he hasn’t yet reached prime Phil Foden.

Both wonderful talents and we’re lucky to have them.

Shame for us is that, when we had Silva and KDB as roaming 8’s, they both had the engine and work rate to do enough defensively and to press that I think neither Phil or Cherki have, so our best option of seeing them both is one of them playing RW (probably Cherki) and having Nunes play as an overlapping fullback.

The problem is that Foden hasn't reached prime Foden since 23/24. You can't play someone on the basis of what he did 2 years ago. This season he's on one goal in the league (and how many assists?).

Also, we had a much more stable team back then allowing Foden to focus on goals rather than assists. KDB isn't here now, Bernardo isn't the same, Rodri is struggling right now, etc.

Cherki needs to show he deserves to play in the 10 in the PL and against top teams. Foden is safe for now as a 10, but he needs to improve on his productivity.

 

[alexmcity]

Foden has been playing deeper much more an 8 this season ,which is where I think he'll settle. He's also been playing it very well, it's just not as eyecatching a position.Ideally he'll play 8 ,Cherki 10 eventually. with combinations of Rodri/Gonzalez in the 6.

Reijnders has been an 8 so far. Foden can be great as an 8 in the attacking phase, but he lacks the stamina to be an 8 in the defensive phase. Reijnders has the stamina, but he doesn't win many duels either. That's why I think we need both Rodri and Gonzalez in CM, with Foden in the 10 and Cherki on the right, or more likely the reverse, Cherki in the 10 and Foden on the right.

Pep has played Cherki only centrally so far, so Pep seems to think his future is in a free role behind Haaland. A midfield including both Foden and Cherki can work very well against weaker teams but it will be defensively soft vs good teams.

 

[Gabriel]

Something Cherki is going to have to get used to and all of us as well is that not all the other players have anywhere near the touch, control, and weight of pass he has. Could have had a hat-trick last night; scored one, hit the post, and Lewis’ short pass was overhit.

We currently have quite a few cut and thrust attacking players, Haaland, Doku, Foden, and Reijnders, but to get the best out of Cherki, especially against parked buses, our next couple of buys should be more touch and technique in the tightest of spaces.

 

[rice10]

If he is fully fit he simply has to start. For me it isn’t Cherki or Foden, as both can play centrally or wide, it is Cherki or Savinho and it goes without saying that Savinho does not deserve to be anywhere near our first team.

The only thing Savinho has over Cherki is pace. Cherki is more creative, a better dribbler, more of a goal threat. We aren’t even going to be losing anything from a defensive point of view by dropping Savinho cos he is awful off the ball so it is a no brainer to pick Cherki and Foden over him. Maybe the odd sub appearance Savinho may do something to deserve more game time but I wouldn’t hold out much hope.

Get Cherki in the team. What’s the worst that can happen!!

 

[blueparrot]

Reijnders has been an 8 so far. Foden can be great as an 8 in the attacking phase, but he lacks the stamina to be an 8 in the defensive phase. Reijnders has the stamina, but he doesn't win many duels either. That's why I think we need both Rodri and Gonzalez in CM, with Foden in the 10 and Cherki on the right, or more likely the reverse, Cherki in the 10 and Foden on the right.

Pep has played Cherki only centrally so far, so Pep seems to think his future is in a free role behind Haaland. A midfield including both Foden and Cherki can work very well against weaker teams but it will be defensively soft vs good teams.

Not sure Foden has been winning a lot of balls deeper and finding space deeper, his forward passing from the middle has been very good. Reckon he''l become our 8.

 

[alexmcity]

Something Cherki is going to have to get used to and all of us as well is that not all the other players have anywhere near the touch, control, and weight of pass he has. Could have had a hat-trick last night; scored one, hit the post, and Lewis’ short pass was overhit.

We currently have quite a few cut and thrust attacking players, Haaland, Doku, Foden, and Reijnders, but to get the best out of Cherki, especially against parked buses, our next couple of buys should be more touch and technique in the tightest of spaces.

Savinho is one, or can become one. Bobb as well. Both are not in the best form right now but they are pretty young.

 

[alexmcity]

Not sure Foden has been winning a lot of balls deeper and finding space deeper, his forward passing from the middle has been very good. Reckon he''l become our 8.

Would be great if that happens, but I doubt he has the physicality to play as an 8. Didn't Pep mention him last night alongside Cherki and Doku as players who are great in attack (in small spaces) but aren't great at defending?

 

[Skrastins]

We should play Foden and Cherki and they can swap throughout the game in the 10 role and right wing.

or

left winger and right winger can tuck inside the middle and fullbacks turns in to wingers when in position to overwhelm the defense, Tijjani to crash the box when opportunity is

i think that was the reason why RAN was brought in

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

'Foden won us the league' is a bit of overstatement, given that Haaland scored more league goals (27 vs 19) and Rodri was the best player in the world that season, contributing 17 GA in the league from DM.

Foden was a second striker in 23/24 as evidenced by his numbers: much more goals than assists.

It's not a given his numbers will be better than Cherki's in that position (behind Haaland). Cherki has scored as many goals this season as Foden while playing a lot fewer minutes.

The team comes first. Whoever makes us better in the 10 starts there. Also, there is not a single 10 role: a 10 may be a second striker or a playmaker or something else. In 23/24 Rodri made it possible to have both KDB and Foden in the team. Whether and how it is possible in 25/26 to have both Foden and Cherki without being defensively vulnerable is another question.

Is it though? Player of the season and scored the goals in some of most important games. It’s between him and Rodri for me, buts it’s not too far gone to say he was the best player overall

I’d play both of them to be fair, but it is early days for Cherki who has barely played

 

[Otamendi's Beard]

The only negative, which I think Pep wouldn't like, is that he gave the ball away in the midfield a couple of times with passes which weren't on.

Against the likes of Palace, Bournemouth or any other counter attacking sides we could've been in trouble.

However, his creativity and IQ in attacking areas is a breath of fresh air. Let's hope he stays fit now and we're able to maximise his game time.

I'd play him with Rodri and Nico G behind. Then runners off him - Marmoush, Haaland, Savinho.

 

[richards30]

or

left winger and right winger can tuck inside the middle and fullbacks turns in to wingers when in position to overwhelm the defense, Tijjani to crash the box when opportunity is

i think that was the reason why RAN was brought in

Could work as well mate yeah.

 

[alexmcity]

Is it though? Player of the season and scored the goals in some of most important games. It’s between him and Rodri for me, buts it’s not too far gone to say he was the best player overall

Foden was excellent, but Rodri was the best player in the world that season.

City with Rodri in the starting XI, 23/24 (only PL): 2.59 ppg (that's 98,5 pts over 38 games)

City with Foden in the starting XI: 2,30 ppg. (87,4 pts over 38 games)

We lost 3 from the 4 games without Rodri in the first XI and won all 5 games in which Foden didn't start.

 

[noseve]

The only negative, which I think Pep wouldn't like, is that he gave the ball away in the midfield a couple of times with passes which weren't on

I think that goes with the territory, with players who try stuff that others don't see.

 

[noseve]

fullbacks turns in to wingers when in position to overwhelm the defense, Tijjani to crash the box when opportunity is

i think that was the reason why RAN was brought in

Let's face it (RAN) - it can't have been for anything he does at the other end of the pitch, can it?

 

[noseve]

Was thrilled when we managed to sign him this summer & as stated earlier he’ll fill the Cole Palmer maverick quality football we let go.

That's the word - I'm not 100% sure that he'll ever be a week in/week out game-changer, but last night he stood out like Monty Python suddenly coming on during daytime TV...

 

[Saddleworth2]

Something Cherki is going to have to get used to and all of us as well is that not all the other players have anywhere near the touch, control, and weight of pass he has. Could have had a hat-trick last night; scored one, hit the post, and Lewis’ short pass was overhit.

We currently have quite a few cut and thrust attacking players, Haaland, Doku, Foden, and Reijnders, but to get the best out of Cherki, especially against parked buses, our next couple of buys should be more touch and technique in the tightest of spaces.

Like Phil?