10 | Rayan Cherki - 2025/26

[Nevizade]

Reminds me so much of Eyal Berkovic-lovely player to watch.

Until the day he died my grandad used to say he wished we’d signed Ali five years earlier.

In case you’re not watching big fella, we’ve got one ten years younger.

 

[kippaxwarrior]

Cherki will never be a workhorse like Tevez was. He's lazy on defense - and that will probably always be the case.

Given that he's fantastically gifted on the ball - and lazy - how do we best make use of him? I'd love to see a Foden-Cherki one-two combination through the middle - because that's going to unlock virtually every low block.

At the same time... the more defensive responsibility Cherki assumes - the worse out defense is probably going to get.

For me - start Cherki as RW and allow him to drift inwards to express himself. To cover for this, start one of our best defensive RBs - Nunes or Khusanov.

You need to be called out on this about Cherki being lazy.

The last two games and particularly yesterday he was constantly tracking back when we didn't have the ball harassing the full backs and dropping into midfield to help out the midfield 3.

Look at the 2 assists for Haaland yesterday, he was in central midfield. You absolutely cannot be lazy in a Pep team and it seems you've been suckered in by certain sections of the press saying he's shit off the ball.

You had a nightmare telling everyone Donnarumma wasn't good enough, don't let the same thing happen to Cherki

 

[alexmcity]

Apparently, Cherki has contributed a goal/assist every 50 minutes so far. That's Haaland level of productivity.

 

[M16 citeh]

Assuming that's not doctored, it's brilliant. Sums him up.

He plays like a kid in a playground. If the ball went over a fence, he'd be the one jumping over it to get the game started as quickly as possible.

Hope his enthusiasm is infectious.

I saw it live not doctored lol

 

[eastmanc]

You need to be called out on this about Cherki being lazy.

The last two games and particularly yesterday he was constantly tracking back when we didn't have the ball harassing the full backs and dropping into midfield to help out the midfield 3.

Look at the 2 assists for Haaland yesterday, he was in central midfield. You absolutely cannot be lazy in a Pep team and it seems you've been suckered in by certain sections of the press saying he's shit off the ball.

You had a nightmare telling everyone Donnarumma wasn't good enough, don't let the same thing happen to Cherki

There was one press that he did at the start of the second half where he was chasing down every Bournemouth player who had the ball. Not very lazy there. I thought, especially the first half he was very good, second he seemed to run out of legs, which is understandable. He's a really talented lad though.

 

[Blue Maverick]

I feel this lad is the key for us going forward, I think he will be our playmaker who sees those Haaland runs that others don’t, the little clicks that don’t come off and lead to counters I think Pep will get a grip of that and say only do in certain areas after all it’s a thin line between madness and genius.

 

[SiMCFC]

He's a really interesting player to focus on and watch for a few minutes, movement, body language etc, seems to actually enjoy playing positive footy!

He totally exploited Bournemouths high line Yesterday, be interested to see what he would do against a tough low block defence in and around their box (we know he has the quality to hit one from distance).

Very exciting and hope he gets the chance to go at Van Dick at Weekend!

 

[come-on-barney]

What a joy to watch. We’ve missed that type of player since Silva left, and have missed his magic. Think we might have some of that magic back. He was shattered in the second half, still getting back to fitness, now that is scary :)

 

[Mr HJ]

Said when he signed this lad he could be the big piece that takes us back to previous levels. Why?

1. We are a much more entertaining watch with him. Genuine excitement in the ground yesterday.

2. He is one of the most two footed players in the game and always looks to play forward when he sees pictures of forward runs. And, most importantly...

3. You could see other players raise their game and perform better. It is rare that a single player can do this but you could see yesterday with Erling for example - he always got chances but he now is back to making run after run whereas when we spent a period playing tippy tap rondo based football he would make a few runs then get frustrated. No coincidence too that Phil, Nico and Bernie were all excellent and enjoying playing in a much more balanced system.

It is not going overboard about him and it helps that a few injuries have also cleared up but we were much better. All our players are high level ones but for me we lost a little spark and were very passive without prime Kev. Yes it's early but yesterday I saw us back to a team that could and perhaps should have scored 5 or 6 against a very good opponent. It is entertainment with Cherki in the side.

 

[CheepCheep]

There was one press that he did at the start of the second half where he was chasing down every Bournemouth player who had the ball. Not very lazy there. I thought, especially the first half he was very good, second he seemed to run out of legs, which is understandable. He's a really talented lad though.

If it's the same one I remember I think it is lazy in a way. He was on his own, if the team aren't going with you you need to drop, he pressed really hard but then ended up out of the game and had tired himself out so couldn't run back, or chose not to. Bruno Fernandes always used to do that for the rags.

I don't think he's fundamentally a lazy player though, just needs to get fitter so he can last the full game and get more aligned with his teammates defensively, both will come in time but you can't teach his vision and talent. Going to be some player if it all comes together.

 

[Platt Lane 59]

If it's the same one I remember I think it is lazy in a way. He was on his own, if the team aren't going with you you need to drop, he pressed really hard but then ended up out of the game and had tired himself out so couldn't run back, or chose not to. Bruno Fernandes always used to do that for the rags.

I don't think he's fundamentally a lazy player though, just needs to get fitter so he can last the full game and get more aligned with his teammates defensively, both will come in time but you can't teach his vision and talent. Going to be some player if it all comes together.

Think this lad is an exciting and unpredictable talent.
However he will try risky passes, so interceptions will happen.
Hopefully, Pep continues to give him the freedom to express himself...

 

[mcfc315]

Really impressive performance from Cherki yesterday, one of them players who excites you and oozes class and confidence on the ball

 

[east2]

People are saying hes like david Silva but for me he feels more like a young ali benarbia and if hes half as good as Ali we will be laughing. A joy to watch and worth the entry fee alone.

This fella gets you off your seat, the noise level increased yesterday every time he had the ball,
Just like KDB he sees the pass before he receives the ball, very few players have that ability.

 

[eastmanc]

If it's the same one I remember I think it is lazy in a way. He was on his own, if the team aren't going with you you need to drop, he pressed really hard but then ended up out of the game and had tired himself out so couldn't run back, or chose not to. Bruno Fernandes always used to do that for the rags.

I don't think he's fundamentally a lazy player though, just needs to get fitter so he can last the full game and get more aligned with his teammates defensively, both will come in time but you can't teach his vision and talent. Going to be some player if it all comes together.

His fitness will come with games just a shame that he got injured so early in the season.

 

[eastmanc]

Seriously can anybody name a player as two footed as Cherki. He's supposed to be predominantly left footed but yesterday took a free kick, which required a good save to keep it out, with his right foot as if it was the easiest thing in the world.

 

[OB1]

That assist with his head gets better every time you see it.

He is an entertainer, possibly in the Rodney Marsh league.

He has to learn when and where to do the fancy stuff but, although he doesn’t look it, he is just a kid and will mature and improve, so long as he is, as Pep puts it, coachable.

He is very gifted and it is purely up to him what he makes of his natural talent. Hopefully it is going to be a lot of fun watching him develop.

 

[Otamendi's Beard]

I love his confidence and he knows he belongs in that midfield. Hopefully his confidence rubs off on a few of our other players who seem devoid of any at times - e.g Bobb, Savinho and Khusanov.

He knows exactly what he's capable of and is a joy to watch.

Him and Phil together is the new Benarbia / Berkovic combo.

 

[Gingers Dad]

Reminds me so much of Eyal Berkovic-lovely player to watch.

If Cherki is Eyal, then Phil is Ali

 

[Craig]

If Cherki is Eyal, then Phil is Ali

I’d say it’s more the other way round really. As Phil can cover the ground easier. Cherki is capable of magic with either foot when he gets it. Really promising early signs with those 2 together anyway.

 

[.db.]

That first half was superb!

He came out for the second half looking a bit stiff after a sit down at half time and he wasn’t quite as good (Pep did his nut at him a few times for trying to nutmeg someone and losing the ball or trying little flicks and losing the ball when it was still only 2-1), but he’s not played a great deal and isn’t fully match fit yet.

Once he gets up to full match fitness and sharpness in body and mind, and he can put in a full game performance like that first half, Cherki could be the best player in this team.

He’s only 22 n’all (although he looks about 32!).

It looks like he and Haaland were made for each other the way they play… Cherki’s first instinct was often ‘where’s Erling?’.