Cherki Shines: Club World Cup Performance & Man City Debut

Rayan Cherki is not a player like any other. His transfer from Lyon to Manchester City at the very start of the transfer window is not just a movement among others. His first appearances in the French team left no one of marble. So inevitably, we watch him a little more than the others. And if the idea is not to take stock after three games of match in a world cup of clubs that everyone does not yet take seriously, their first three matches in his new colors have offered a condensed of the character and the player he is.

First there was this first entry start. Fifty-nine minutes against Wydad Casablanca as a baptism of fire, for any fairly rendering in difficult conditions. In the midst of a few lightnings, his failed pass could have cost City a goal, and his ball calls rarely paid (34 balloons affected). “The club has chosen Rayan because it has incredible qualities near the surface, a superb vision of passes. I am very happy that it is there”assured Pep Guardiola at the post-match press conference. But the most impatient doubts and criticisms were already emerging. Mainly, of course, on social networks.

Five days later, the former Lyonnais sat on the bench this time for the first time. Before entering and scoring a quarter of an hour later, for the first time too, in its characteristic style, made up of skills in small spaces and ability to score the right and left. The conclusion of a walk against Al-Aïn (6-0) not likely to ignite, but at least to free oneself.

“We know the potential of Rayan Cherki. I see a lot of things in training and I say to myself: ‘What a player!’recognized Guardiola after the fact. But as a new player, as is the case for Tijjani Reijnders, for Marcus Bettinelli, for Rayan Aït-Nouri, they need a little time, to know us, to know what we want. “

It was again on the bench that he sat against Juventus on Thursday. Having entered a big quarter of an hour from the term, he went very close to scoring on a service of the same Erling Haaland who had offered him the ball of his first goal in City. On social networks as on the lawn, the connection between the two players is already very concrete. And more than promising.

One thing is certain, Rayan did not stop doing Cherki. So far, he has started his adaptation without distorting. For the worst, sometimes: we have already seen him lifting our arms on unwanted ball calls, which will remind some memories of the Lyon supporters. But for the better, above all, like its lasers passes and its insolent technical quality. Filip Kostic, victim of a small devastating bridge under the amazed eyes of a ball collector, will not say the opposite. And all the Internet has already taken advantage of it.

Cherki had announced it, he joined England without losing sight of his ultimate goal: to take and give pleasure. This is what transpires compilations already published on social networks by its new club, which is enjoying its gestures in training as in match. City knows it, he recruited a very special player. And it is happy to display it.

However, all of this is only a big parenthesis. Because the “real” competition only starts this night for Guardiola men, opposed to Al-Hilal in the round of 16. But that the only valid revealer will be the Premier League, of course. And that the French neo-international will have to whip to make a place very far from being acquired.

“It’s simple: they have to fight. Everyone knows that they have a little competition to play with themselves, it is the only way in big clubs. They must feel that if they do not play well, another will play”launched the Spaniard after the last group match. Whatever its use, in the axis or on one side, Cherki will have to detach himself from Tijjani Reijnders or Bernardo Silva, Jérémy Doku or Phil Foden, and other promises who want to make their hole, from Oscar Bobb to Claudio Echeverri. The mission is large, Cherki knew it. But the first impressions are positive.