Pep Guardiola has managed a few of the greatest stars in world soccer all through his profession, and now at Manchester Metropolis, he continues to work with elite expertise. Whereas Erling Haaland has already confirmed to be a striker destined to outline an period, the Spanish coach not too long ago turned his reward towards one other Metropolis participant, calling him “one of many greatest abilities” he’s ever seen.
From FC Barcelona to Bayern Munich and now Manchester Metropolis, Guardiola has constructed a popularity as one of many sport’s best tacticians whereas teaching legends corresponding to Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, Sergio Agüero, and Kevin De Bruyne, amongst others. Though he sees Haaland as a generational participant, Guardiola made it clear he’s equally impressed by one other rising star in his squad.
In his pre-match press convention forward of the sport towards Villarreal, Guardiola was requested about Rayan Cherki, who has been fighting accidents, and his response was emphatic: “Rayan is among the big abilities I’ve ever seen in my profession; technically, individually – he’s prime.”
The Spanish supervisor additionally highlighted the progress the Frenchman has made to this point with the group. “The query is how he settles in what we need to do, how he reads each motion and this began very well within the (Membership) World Cup, however after had just a few weeks off and step-by-step. I’ve the sensation most of occasions, not on a regular basis, the ball involves him, the state of affairs is best,” Guardiola acknowledged.
Rayan Cherki of Manchester Metropolis.
After pointing to Cherki’s help to Haaland towards Everton, Guardiola praised the participant’s persona and magnificence: “And he’s a man I like so much that he doesn’t really feel strain, at all times desires to play with the ball, like a road participant, ‘Give me the ball, give me the ball!’ Nevertheless it’s a short while right here, and he wants somewhat little bit of time.”
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Cherki’s 2025-26 season to this point
Among the many notable offers of the 2025 summer time switch window, Manchester Metropolis took benefit of Olympique Lyon’s monetary struggles to signal Rayan Cherki. The deal was finalized for €36.5 million ($41.7 million), a discount contemplating what the 22-year-old has proven in latest seasons.
After battling accidents early within the marketing campaign, Cherki has solely featured in 4 matches for Metropolis, scoring as soon as, towards Wolverhampton Wanderers. However, hamstring points have pressured him to overlook seven video games, whereas he was an unused substitute within the 1-0 win over Brentford.
Recognized for his distinctive dribbling, Cherki’s taking part in model has drawn comparisons to Riyad Mahrez, whose creativity performed a key function throughout Guardiola’s earlier years at Metropolis. At simply 22, the Spanish coach believes he’s witnessing one of many brightest younger abilities in world soccer, and with greater than half the season nonetheless to play, Cherki’s full affect could possibly be but to return.
