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Rayan Cherki has distinguished himself by becoming the first French player since Dimitri Payet to achieve 10 assists in his debut Premier League season.
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His former teammate Nicolas Tagliafico describes Cherki as “disorganized” yet “full of quality.”
Nicolas Tagliafico, Cherki’s former teammate at Lyon, has commended the young talent for exceeding expectations since his transfer to Manchester City.
The attacking midfielder joined City during the summer transfer window for £34 million and has been involved in 25 goals across 50 appearances for the club. His most recent contributions include two assists against Chelsea followed by a remarkable goal against Arsenal.
Rayan Cherki emerged from the youth academy of Olympique Lyonnais, where he spent six years with the first team, amassing nearly 200 appearances, scoring 29 goals, and delivering 46 assists.
At just 22 years old, Cherki was faced with the option to join Paris Saint-Germain before deciding on Manchester City. This gamble has paid off, as he’s now the first French player since Payet to achieve 10 assists in his inaugural season.
“Chaotic”: Tagliafico on Why Cherki is a Guardiola Outlier
During his time at Lyon, Cherki played alongside Nicolas Tagliafico, who continues to play in Ligue 1. Tagliafico has praised Cherki’s abilities, although he noted that his style may not align with Pep Guardiola’s tactics.
“He possesses immense quality. I’m not sure if there are many players like him in today’s game,” Tagliafico remarked in an interview shared by BolaVip.
“Modern wingers tend to be adept in one-on-one situations and rely heavily on speed, but Cherki excels with both feet and enjoys dribbling freely. However, he tends to be a bit disorganized.”
“I’m curious how Guardiola manages him, given that the coach prefers a structured approach. While Cherki’s creativity is beneficial, losing possession can lead to chaos.”
“Despite this, his talent is undeniable, and he’s exceptionally strong. Let’s not forget, he’s still only 22.”
The Rise of Manchester City’s Star Number 10
Manchester City’s increasing dependence on Rayan Cherki in the latter part of the 2025/26 season demonstrates his stunning ascent to the first team. Initially, he was typically used as a substitute, entering late in games to exploit tiring defenses.
His recent goal against his recent goal against Arsenal showcased his ability to navigate around defenders like Declan Rice and Gabriel before slotting the ball into the net past David Raya – a performance that elevated City’s positioning in the title race.
This victory, complemented by a precise finish from Erling Haaland, reduced the gap between them and Arsenal to just three points. A subsequent win against Burnley propelled Guardiola’s team to the top of the league.
This marked the first instance since October that Arsenal fell from the top spot, with five matches remaining in the season for Manchester City, as the Gunners managed a narrow 1-0 victory at home against Newcastle.