Rayan Cherki guided Manchester City to victory on Sunday against Chelsea (3-0) in the Premier League, with two more assists. In England, the attacking midfielder is universally praised.
Once again, Pep Guardiola had warned ahead of the match. And once again, Rayan Cherki proved him right by leading Manchester City to a comfortable victory over Chelsea (3-0) on Sunday in the Premier League.
“He is one of the most incredibly talented players I have ever seen. I hope he can stay longer, because he has the qualities to become a top-class player,” the Spanish manager had said in his opening remarks.
Cherki like Payet, 10 years on
The French international’s mixed first half didn’t quite live up to the description, but the second half fitted the bill perfectly. Delivering a perfect cross for Nico O’Reilly’s header, then an inspired left-footed pass to Marc Guéhi despite the opposition’s defensive density, the playmaker recorded his ninth and tenth assists of his first Premier League season. No rookie has done better since Dimitri Payet, who provided 12 assists, ten years earlier.
At the same time, Cherki became only the seventh French player to provide at least 10 assists in a single season in the English league, following in the footsteps of Eric Cantona, David Ginola, Thierry Henry, Robert Pirès, Laurent Robert and Payet. “Nothing but big names,” remarked the 22-year-old attacking midfielder, pleased to have reached this milestone but not yet satisfied. “Ten assists is good, but it’s not enough,” the former Lyon player told Canal+.
Guardiola wants to see Cherki playing higher up
Guardiola knows how to boost that assist tally and simply advises Cherki to play further forward. “His parents gave him talent, but to play near Haaland. Sometimes he plays near Donnarumma and that’s pointless. Play near Haaland, the wingers and the attacking midfielders and use the talent your parents gave you,” said the Catalan manager.
“When he starts doing that, he’ll become an extraordinary player thanks to his attitude and mentality. He needs to learn to play for 95 minutes doing what he’s supposed to do. But his work ethic is spot on and incredible. Because otherwise he knows he won’t play,” continued Guardiola. Cherki has done the first part of the job: silencing many of his critics and becoming a key player for Manchester City.
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