Revealed: Rayan Cherki rejected Manchester City rivals as a teenager after secret trial | OneFootball

Manchester City star Rayan Cherki underwent a secretive trial at Chelsea as a teenager but rejected the London Blues for an amusing reason, it has been revealed. 

The Frenchman’s start to life in England since his £34 million move from Lyon has been nothing short of flawless despite suffering a thigh injury in August that stifled his first months at the Etihad Stadium. 

Since missing a combined nine games for Manchester City and France owing to the setback, the France international has established fine form that has seen him garner six goals and nine assists in 24 games, most recently scoring a crucial second for the Blues in the opening leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie with Newcastle at St. James’ Park on Tuesday night.

City have won twice in succession since three consecutive draws against Sunderland, Chelsea and Brighton to begin 2027 – though the eight-time Premier League champions are yet to be beaten in 13 games in all competitions as they continue the chase to league leaders Arsenal.

The revelation, which comes at a time where Cherki is playing some of his best football, has been uncovered by Charlton Athletic striker Miles Leaburn. The 22-year-old was released by Chelsea at the age of 16 and has been with the Addicks ever since.

During that time, he has won promotion from the third-tier of English football and become a regular starter in the EFL Championship, featuring 24 times in that competition. 

In a recent interview with Sun Sport, Leaburn said: “He (Cherki) came over from France and was rainbow flicking guys in training. I was thinking, ‘Oh my God, this is incredible’.

“He (Cherki) honestly rejected playing for Chelsea because he probably found it too easy. He was miles better than anyone else, absolute quality. That was one of the standout moments of the eight years or so I spent at Chelsea.”

Cherki ended up staying at Lyon to become one of their most successful youth products. He began playing at the age of 15 in the Championnat National 2 before making his professional debut in October 2019. 

Ever since, the France international’s talent has only ascended into the frame of other world-class talent, with Cherki having grown as a highly-regarded aspect of Lyon’s successful academy system. 

For the Ligue 1 side, he made 185 appearances in total, scoring 29 goals and providing 45 assists before making his move to the Premier League last summer, when Manchester City won a hotly-contested race to secure the services of one of France’s finest attacking talents.

The two-footed attacking midfielder has since established himself as one of the first names on Guardiola’s teamsheet, forging strong relationships in Manchester City’s star-studded attack as the Blues look to finish the season with silverware on multiple fronts.