From sky blue to blue-white-red. This Monday, Rayan Cherki (23 years old) joined the French team now led by Zinedine Zidane. And we can say that the former OL player was like a kid at the idea of playing under the orders of the legend Zizou. “It will be an honor to join a new coach, especially Zidane. We can’t wait to start working with him and have a lot of fun.”he admitted yesterday at the microphone of Canal+. The opposite is also valid. The former number 10 is a big fan of Cherki, whom he already followed when he was at Lyon and he was at Real Madrid. The two men, technically gifted and lovers of beautiful gestures, speak the same language and the same football. Friday during his press conference where he announced his first list, the new strong man of the Tricolores had some nice words for the Manchester City player.
“He’s a real No.10, he’s able to play between the lines, turn around, be creative, he’s a player I like. We will have these 15 days to work together”. This association is rather attractive on paper. This will also allow the footballer born in 2003 to get off on the right foot with the A’s. Selected for the 2026 World Cup last summer, he continued to integrate well into the group where many appreciated his jovial side and his good humor as well as his humor. Then, some media explained that he had had a personal problem during the tournament and that his relations with certain teammates had cooled. The Frenchman was also singled out for his behavior towards Deschamps during the match against England but especially for his generally disappointing performances during the tournament despite crazy potential. Now, he will be able to start from scratch or almost with Zizou.
Convince Maresca and Zizou after Guardiola and Deschamps
A situation that he also experiences in the club. After a remarkable first year, Frenchy was named in the PFA Premier League team. He was also named best rookie and best player in the championship last year. It must be said that he finished his first year with a record of 10 goals and 15 assists in 52 appearances in all competitions under the orders of Pep Guardiola. A coach who sometimes took his time with him and with whom we often saw him talking on the pitch after matches like a father with his son. But the Catalan, who played an important role in his signing with the Cityzens, left the ship last summer. Enzo Maresca came to replace him. For Cherki, that didn’t mean he was going to start from scratch. But with a new coach, the cards were inevitably going to be redistributed.
Returning a little later after his leave, he started on the bench in the Community Shield against Arsenal on August 16. He came on for 30 minutes but he was unable to change the result (3-0 defeat). Substitute again against Bournemouth on August 23, he only had 23 minutes to eat. More than enough for Cherki, author of 2 assists. He did it again on August 23 against Crystal Palace, this time scoring 2 goals in his first start of the season (82 minutes). After the match, he sent a message to Maresca. “I worked all summer for this so I’m really happy. Now, it’s clear that it affected me enormously (to be a substitute, editor’s note). I had to show the coach that I simply wanted to play. It didn’t wake me up because I’ve never been “asleep” but it really affected me and I had to show the coach that I simply wanted to play.”
The Frenchman is off to a good start
A message perfectly received by Maresca, visibly satisfied with his player. Because since this meeting, Cherki has not left the starting lineup. Starting against Coventry (September 5), he was also against Porto in the Champions League (September 8). Same thing against Manchester United (September 13) but also Norwich (September 17), this time in the League Cup. THE Manchester Evening News had praised his performance, since he had scored a goal, but also his role. He was one of the leaders of a revamped and rejuvenated group. On Sunday, Cherki continued his momentum with a goal in the 5-3 success against Sunderland. “He finished well and was a valuable attacking option in the second half to allow City to continue to push.”wrote the MENwho gave it a 6.
Goal gave it an 8. “A true creative force throughout the match, Cherki constantly posed problems for the Sunderland defense. His vision of the game and the precision of his passes were exceptional, fully justifying his tenure as number 10 before being replaced at the end of the match by O’Reilly. Same note for the BBC. “Close to his best level in this match, with some delicious technical gestures. His liveliness and technique allowed City to open the scoring, and he kept his cool to score City’s second goal in the first half. A new successful outing for the native of Lyon who is starting this confirmation season rather well. Indeed, the French international scored 4 goals and delivered 2 assists in 8 appearances in all competitions with City, including 6 as a starter. He is well on his way to confirming in the club. All that remains is to do the same in selection. Zidane is just waiting for that!
