Cherki – Foden, the dream duo… that Guardiola still refuses to pair!

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·1 November 2025

Cherki – Foden, the dream duo… that Guardiola still refuses to pair!

Manchester City: Guardiola tempers the hype around Cherki and Foden

Cherki – Foden, the dream duo… that Guardiola still refuses to pair!

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Pep Guardiola is never short on praise for his players, but his decisions are always driven by an unyielding logic. After lauding the talent of Rayan Cherki—recently handed a start and a goal against Swansea in the League Cup—the Spanish tactician felt compelled to clarify his stance on fielding the former Lyon star alongside Phil Foden. Both are creators he admires, yet rarely deploys together.

A balance to maintain among artists

"It's definitely an option to play them together. I won't say I don't like that type of player, but you have to understand what it means to play in the Premier League, with the physical demands it brings. We need to find the right balance. We saw it against Aston Villa; we weren't solid enough to hold out. They'll learn."

The Catalan, ever loyal to his quest for harmony between creativity and discipline, fears upsetting the team's balance by fielding two offensively-minded players who thrive between the lines. Cherki, still adapting to the English tempo, and Foden, often pushed higher up or out wide, embody this constant dilemma between the beauty of the game and pragmatic efficiency.

Guardiola doesn't rule out pairing them in the future, but he insists on the necessary physical and tactical development to make it work. In the meantime, the former Barça coach continues to deliver his trademark blend of pedagogy and high standards—a reminder that at Manchester City, talent alone isn't enough: you must also fit into the meticulous symphony orchestrated by Pep.