Didier Deschamps expects more. Holder, Thursday evening, during the victory (4-0) of the Blues against Ukraine, Rayan Cherki tried to make a difference but the former Lyonnais often failed in the last gesture. Involved in the penalty leading to the opener, the new Manchester City player, despite everything, delivered a generally interesting performance. Enough to convince Didier Deschamps? Far from it… Present at a press conference before facing Azerbaijan, the Blues coach highlighted the areas for improvement for his protégé.
“A difference between the Cherki of City and the Cherki of the Blues? Rayan, it’s Rayan. Are you saying he refined his game in Manchester? He has an adjustment there in a role that is not the one he had on Thursday. He has above average technical quality. There are things to improve on what he did on Thursday. It also depends on a collective. His positioning was a little too low in this match. There is a lot of competition in Manchester, his playing time is reduced. He played this hour. He will be affected by tomorrow’s match. He too will need time, like everyone else”.
Deschamps points out areas for improvement
A few minutes earlier, Ibrahima Konaté had also been questioned about a possible difference between the City version of Cherki and the one wearing the tricolor tunic. “He’s an old-fashioned player. He likes to give pleasure. His game, his qualities… I couldn’t describe it. He has both feet. It can become a framework over time. It depends on him, on his work, but before getting there there is a long road. He can do great things with his qualities.”the Reds defender then poured out, amazed by the qualities of the neo-Mancunian.
Not necessarily convinced by the performance of the French playmaker – who had missed the last two rallies due to an injury – Didier Deschamps was keen to point out areas for improvement for the 22-year-old player, particularly in his acclimatization within the France collective. Remarks that the main person concerned will, logically, have to take into account if he wants to be part of the trip to America next summer. In the meantime, this Sunday evening against Azerbaijan, Rayan Cherki will have a new opportunity to prove to his coach that he deserves to set foot on American soil.
