Rayan Cherki officially joined Manchester City this summer, leaving Olympique Lyonnais after several seasons in a sawtooth. A new start for the 21 -year -old French striker, who will have to adapt to the very high requirements of Pep Guardiola and high -level English football. His signature marks a turning point in his young career, with the ambition to take a course in one of the most demanding clubs in Europe.
The first weeks in the Club World Cup made up for the tricolor international to discover its new environment. If its technical qualities are already seduced, its debut in preparation were not free from criticism. During a recent training session, Cherki distinguished himself by a loss of avoidable ball, followed by a lack of effort to recover it. An attitude that has not pleased Guardiola at all.
The Catalan coach was quick to react. Captured in full lively discussion with his player, Guardiola cropped Cherki for his lack of defensive effort after loss of ball. A clear first warning: in Manchester City, talent alone is not enough. The implication without balloon is non -negotiable.
Fonseca said it
Words that resonate with recent comments from Paulo Fonseca, the former Cherki coach in Lyon. In an interview with The teamthe Portuguese technician had already pointed out the limits of his former player. “He has to change the way he has to work for the team. (…) His big challenge will be to be a disciplined player because he plays in a team with a strong position game and always wants him to have the ball ”explains Fonseca.
The latter also insists on the importance of defensive work in modern football, citing in particular the example of PSG: “We saw with Messi, Mbappé, Neymar … All the teams must defend, otherwise they do not win. »» In Manchester City, where the tactical requirement is maximum, Rayan Cherki will have to align very quickly. Fonseca nuances however: “It was more difficult with Rayan, but he was trying. With me, he tried. »»
