It would seem that everything is beginning to click for a Manchester City magician | OneFootball

Rayan Cherki arrived at Manchester City last summer as one of the more exciting signings the club had made for some time. Cherki is one of the premier creative players in football and his skill in possession and eye for a pass, coupled with his ability to produce the spectacular is almost unparalleled. In terms of his ability in possession, there is no doubt that Cherki would fit into Pep Guardiola’s squad.

The question mark that surrounded Cherki’s fit into this City side was his work off the ball. Based on Rayan Cherki’s brief appearance against Fulham in Manchester City’s 5-4 win at Craven Cottage, Cherki is beginning to grasp what is expected out of possession from Pep Guardiola.

Rayan Cherki helped Manchester City hold on for three points against Fulham.

Tijjani Reijnders was replaced by Rayan Cherki in the 82nd minute of Manchester City’s thrilling win over Fulham at Craven Cottage. Marco Silva’s side were pushing hard for an equaliser and Cherki came on and helped give his team some semblance of control. Cherki demanded the ball and wasn’t afraid of the moment in a tight and tense match. He also created a late opportunity for Josko Gvardiol to seal the game with a sumptuous through ball but Gvardiol put the chance wide. All of that doesn’t come as a surprise. Those traits are Rayan Cherki’s specialty.

What else stood out was how eager Rayan Cherki was to track back and help his team defensively. He routinely got back to help provide cover for Matheus Nunes at right-back. That was great to see from the French international. Cherki wasn’t a match-winner by any stretch at Craven Cottage. But he did exactly what his team required. It now seems that Cherki is grasping the concepts required to play in Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side.

Pep Guardiola has high praise for Rayan Cherki’s efforts at Craven Cottage.

Speaking after his team’s win over Fulham, Pep Guardiola praised Rayan Cherki’s efforts. Guardiola believed that Cherki was exceptional when he came on the pitch. Pep Guardiola explained: “Today, in the last minutes, Rayan Cherki and Bernardo [Silva] and Nico O’Reilly was the key to keeping less chances to concede the goal.”

“In the last minutes, especially Rayan was exceptional.”

It does seem telling that Pep Guardiola singled out Rayan Cherki for praise for his efforts against Fulham. Especially considering Cherki’s efforts helped his team maintain a semblance and control and he was more than willing to help his team defensively. Cherki is so often praised for what he does in possession. It now seems he is grasping what it takes to play for a Pep Guardiola team when City don’t have possession. That is one major positive to take from Cherki’s brief appearance against Fulham.