Rayan Cherki has taken to life playing under Pep Guardiola and for Manchester City like a duck to water this season. Cherki has scored 10 goals and added 14 assists this season, and those are exceptional numbers for a player in his debut season at City. Also, Cherki’s match-winning and game-breaking ability has made him an extremely valuable weapon in Manchester City’s attack. In a new interview with mancity.com, Cherki has shared how much he is enjoying playing under Pep Guardiola, and based on his first season playing under Pep, Cherki could be set for an even bigger impact at City in future seasons.
Rayan Cherki is enjoying playing for Pep Guardiola.
Speaking with mancity.com, Rayan Cherki has shared just how much he is enjoying playing at Manchester City with Pep Guardiola as manager. The French international explained that the pair share similar philosophies on football. It has been clear to see Pep Guardiola’s influence on Cherki’s performances this season. He explained: “It’s true that working with Pep is extraordinary because he has a vision of football that is very similar to mine.”
“Always having the ball, always wanting to attack, always wanting to create. So, it’s really extraordinary to work with him. Pep gives us a lot of freedom to express everything we want, all our talents on the pitch.”
“Defensively, we try to produce a team effort and then offensively, we try to express our talents all together, so that we can score as many goals as possible and simply be the best on the pitch.”
If his first season at Manchester City is a sign of things to come from Rayan Cherki, he will be a massive player for City.
Throughout this season, you can see Pep Guardiola’s influence on Rayan Cherki’s game rise to the fore. Cherki has always been a creative force as a player with his ability to create and score goals. That has always been Cherki’s standout attribute, alongside his creativity with the ball at his feet. However, Cherki has tracked back defensively throughout this season and has picked up the nuances in possession that Pep Guardiola demands from his team and players. All told, in terms of creating chances, scoring goals, and working for his team, Cherki has been superb in his debut season at Manchester City.
Looking further ahead, Rayan Cherki has the potential to be a massive player for Manchester City. His first season has been brilliant. Typically, players struggle in their first season playing under Pep Guardiola. Cherki has done the exact opposite. The expectation from here is that Cherki will go from strength to strength as a player the longer he is at Manchester City. If that occurs, City will have a world-beater on their hands. They do already in Cherki, but if he takes another step forward next season, he could quickly become one of the premier players in European and world football.
Rayan Cherki has shared how much he is enjoying playing under Pep Guardiola as a manager. Cherki’s fit in a Pep Guardiola side is no longer in question. The bigger question is how much better can Cherki get as a Manchester City player? If Cherki’s debut season is any indication he could have another level or two to reach as a player. Especially if Pep Guardiola remains Manchester City manager for next season.