Zidane’s Arrival Could Diminish Cherki’s Role with France, Analyst Suggests
As Didier Deschamps prepares to step down as manager of the French national team following the upcoming World Cup, the anticipation surrounding Zinedine Zidane’s expected arrival has begun to cast a shadow over the future roles of current players. While Rayan Cherki, the 21-year-vintage midfielder, appeared to have solidified his place in Les Bleus under Deschamps, some analysts believe the tactical shift under Zidane could limit his opportunities.
Cherki earned his first call-up to the senior national team in June 2025 and was widely expected to feature in the World Cup this summer. However, RMC Sport consultant Walid Acherchour suggests that Zidane’s preferred style of play may not prioritize Cherki’s strengths, potentially hindering his development within the national setup. The debate centers on whether Zidane will maintain the attacking approach favored by Deschamps, or revert to a more controlled, possession-based system.
Deschamps to Step Aside After World Cup
Didier Deschamps will conclude his 14-year tenure as France’s head coach after the World Cup, paving the way for Zidane to seize the reins. While Deschamps has faced criticism for the sometimes pragmatic nature of his tactics, he has delivered consistent results, including a World Cup title in 2018. The transition is seen by many as an opportunity to inject a latest tactical dimension into the team, but Acherchour believes the fundamental approach may not change as drastically as some expect.
“For him, it’s still a winning machine and it won’t be a beautiful game machine,” Acherchour stated on RMC’s Génération After program. This suggests that Zidane, despite his reputation for attacking football during his successful stint at Real Madrid, may prioritize results over stylistic flair when managing the French national team.
Cherki’s Role Under Scrutiny
Acherchour’s concerns specifically relate to how Cherki will fit into Zidane’s system. Deschamps has, in recent matches, deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation with four attacking players, a setup that has allowed Cherki to flourish. The analyst questions whether Zidane will continue with this approach, drawing parallels to Zidane’s previous managerial decisions.
“I’ll tell you something about Cherki… I, Deschamps, have criticized him a lot about the game, he’s a coach who doesn’t interest me in the football proposed. But in the last year, or even the last two years, with the 4-2-3-1, the four attackers… I’m not sure Zidane will do the same thing,” Acherchour explained. He referenced instances where Zidane favored more defensively-minded players at Real Madrid, such as prioritizing Luka Modrić and Toni Kroos over James Rodríguez, and Isco when a 4-4-2 diamond formation was in use.
The core of Acherchour’s argument rests on the idea that Zidane values tactical discipline and defensive solidity above all else. If this holds true, Cherki, known for his creative flair and attacking instincts, may find himself on the periphery of the team. The question then becomes whether Zidane will adapt his system to accommodate Cherki’s talents, or if Cherki will need to adjust his game to fit Zidane’s vision.
Acherchour further elaborated, “The story of Cherki, necessarily in 10 or the four forwards with Zidane, I’m waiting to see about that. I suppose the end of Deschamps will perhaps be even more interesting footballistically than the beginning of Zidane. Maybe I’m saying something crazy, but that’s how I see it.”
What’s Next for France?
The transition from Deschamps to Zidane is undoubtedly a pivotal moment for French football. Zidane’s first competitive matches will be closely scrutinized as he attempts to build upon the foundation laid by his predecessor while implementing his own tactical ideas. The upcoming friendly matches will provide an early indication of his preferred approach and the roles he envisions for key players like Cherki.
For Cherki, the next few months will be crucial. He will need to continue performing at a high level for his club, Manchester City, to demonstrate his value to Zidane. Whether he can convince the new manager of his worth will determine his involvement in future Bleus squads and his potential to become a key figure in the French national team for years to come.
The French national team will continue its preparations for future competitions, with the focus now shifting to the post-Deschamps era. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Zidane shapes the team and whether Rayan Cherki will be a central part of his plans.
