Thirty years after Eric Cantona, another French footballer is on the verge of conquering Manchester. The ‘Cherkimania’ at City has yet to reach the heights of the ‘Cantomania’ of the mid-1990s at United, but six months after his arrival in the north of England, Rayan Cherki has been putting on a string of spectacular performances and, with them, winning the admiration of the public.
The latest, an assist and a goal, on December 27 on the pitch at Nottingham Forest, earned the former Lyon player the praise of his coach, Pep Guardiola. The Catalan, who has had a slew of genius players under his command, including eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, describes him as “one of the most talented players” that he has experienced in his career. Nothing less. But he also warns him: he is not “not always necessary to do exceptional things”.
Rayan Cherki has a new opportunity to shine, Thursday 1is January, as part of the 19e day of the English championship, against Sunderland. An opponent against whom he already distinguished himself on December 6 with a “scarf shot” cross – a ball hit behind the supporting leg – concluded with a headed goal from Phil Foden, the images of which went viral.
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