Manchester City are utilizing a French international to devastating effect | OneFootball

Rayan Cherki has had an impressive debut season for Manchester City. The French international has scored nine goals and added eleven assists in 42 appearances so far this season. Outside of his goals and assists, Cherki has quickly adapted to Pep Guardiola’s demands of him. The French international has shown that he is willing to track back and pick his moments when in possession. Rayan Cherki is far from a finished product as a City player. He still has another level or two to reach, which is no surprise given he is only 22 years of age.

Over the past two matches that Manchester City have played, against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final and in City’s 4-0 win over Liverpool in their FA Cup quarter-final tie at the Etihad, Cherki has been employed in a role that makes him a devastating player for Pep Guardiola’s side. Rayan Cherki’s impact in both games has been hard to ignore as he’s played an important role in big City victories.

Rayan Cherki was devastating for Manchester City against Liverpool as he was against Arsenal.

Cherki played an important role for Manchester City as they beat Arsenal 2-0 at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final. Cherki’s ability to drift between the lines, and into dangerous space helped Pep Guardiola’s side stretch, and ultimately unlock Arsenal’s defence. Especially in the second half at Wembley. Cherki started in a similar position against Liverpool at the Etihad. By the time that the French international was taken off against Arne Slot’s side, he’d had a tremendous impact in the FA Cup quarter-final tie.

Rayan Cherki once again drifted wherever he was needed against Liverpool. In the first 20 minutes he got himself into dangerous positions in the Liverpool box, but his touch let him down before he couod should. At that point, it didn’t seem like it would Rayan Cherki’s day. But that would soon change as Manchester City put Liverpool to the sword.

After Erling Haaland gave City the lead from the penalty spot in the 39th minute at the Etihad, Liverpool were on the back foot. Pep Guardiola’s side pressed for another goal before halftime and they found it just before the final whistle blew. Cherki was played in on the right, and he found Antoine Semenyo in space further ahead of him. Semenyo played in a teasing cross from the byline and Erling Haaland headed City into a 2-0 lead. The game was over.

Rayan Cherki would pick up an assist in the 50th minute. His superb through ball picked out Antoine Semenyo who made it 3-0 in the 50th minute with a brilliant finish. What stood out about both of Cherki’s contributions to City goals was where they were made. One was on the right and the other on the left. Cherki is drifting all over the pitch and Manchester City are getting devastating value out of the French international.

Pep Lijnders and Antoine Semenyo had high praise for Rayan Cherki after Manchester City’s win over Liverpool.

Speaking with the media after Manchester City’s emphatic win over Liverpool, Pep Lijnders explained where Manchester City want to utilise the French international. The Manchester City assistant manager explained that they want Cherki playing closer to goal, and Lijnders also praised Cherki’s willingness to improve as a player. Lijnders explained: “The only thing we are working on with him is always receiving the ball to hurt the opposition.”

“Because you saw the pass to Antoine – the feeling and the timing. When he faces the goal, he’s becomes so, so dangerous.”

“It’s for the other players to make sure he receives the ball in these spaces and pockets.”

“If you saw today the work ethic without the ball, that defines with Cherki how he is growing. He wants to improve as well.”

In an interview relayed by Hayters TV, Antoine Semenyo said that Rayan Cherki is one of the world’s best players. Semenyo added that playing with Cherki makes his job easier. The Ghana international explained: “He’s one of the world’s best. He can literally do anything with the ball, so he makes my life easy. I know that he’s going to drop and he’s going to try and find me in behind or play to my feet, so it just makes it easier.”

“I remember my first day in training Just some of the skills he was pulling up, I thought, ‘What kind of player is he?’ He’s a top player. Creative with the ball and we love it.”

Final thoughts.

Manchester City have found a position for Rayan Cherki in their starting lineup where they are getting maximum value out of the French international. Cherki is playing a free role, closer to goal, and that is allowing Pep Guardiola’s side to have an attacking weapon that their opponents simply do not have.

Pep Lijnders and Antoine Semenyo had high praise for Rayan Cherki’s talent and his willingness to improve as a player. Playing in a role that allows him to drift all over the pitch and influence a game in possession as Cherki sees fit. That is the best role for him in this Manchester City side as we have seen against Arsenal and Liverpool.