Rayan Cherki did not start during OL’s match against Brest. The reason for this exclusion is known.
Indisputable under the direction of Laurent Blanc, Rayan Cherki returned to the OL substitutes’ bench during the first match of the Fabio Grosso era. The international hopeful only entered the second half of the match, and without being able to avoid the defeat of his team (0-1).
Cherki plays the game (for now)
So why did Cherki lose his place in the eleven? According to information from the Team, the Italian technician did without his midfielder because he had very little taste for his lack of tactical discipline. It was therefore clearly a sporting choice. Blanc’s successor wanted to prick his star player and thus get him to think more collectively. “He wants him to be less of a free electron and more connected to the collective to defend,” indicates an internal club source.
In addition to his desire to make Cherki responsible, Grosso was keen to have a team that played directly, with extended transmissions and a presence on the second balls. Cherki, due to his creative profile, does not really correspond to this type of football. Hence the decision that was taken to leave him out of the eleven. “I have confidence in him, but I preferred to put other players in,” the 2006 world champion explained after the game.
Cherki did not take offense at the decision taken against him. “We told him to take it upon himself to stay nice, that it is what it is, it’s the ball. In Brest, he had a good time, he gave the impression, he had a smile on the bench, you drank it in.” said one of his relatives. For the moment, there is therefore no clash between the player and the coach. But if this situation were to persist, it is not certain that the Bleuet would accept its sidelining without reaction.
