Manchester City have a rough diamond that needs to be refined but it does dazzle their opponents | OneFootball

Rayan Cherki was one of many players who played well for Manchester City yesterday in their 3-1 win over Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium yesterday. Cherki put in a dazzling display for 70 minutes before being substituted. He grabbed two assists and showed exactly what he’ll add to Pep Guardiola’s side and Manchester City’s attacking play. What also stood out is that Cherki still needs to learn the Pep Guardiola way. For now, he seems to be a rough diamond that is more than capable of dazzling City’s opponents. When he is thoroughly indoctrinated into the City way, he could become a star.

Rayan Cherki put in a strong performance for Manchester City against Bournemouth.

Against Swansea in Manchester City’s 3-1 win in their fourth-round Carabao Cup tie at the Swansea.com Stadium, Rayan Cherki put in a sparkling display. He was clearly Manchester City’s man-of-the-match in Wales. That game came against Championship opposition, so last night’s match against Bournemouth was a step up in class for Cherki. He showed that he belongs in Manchester City’s starting eleven with a composed and dazzling display.

Cherki provided two assists for Erling Haaland to score at the Etihad yesterday. Cherki’s assists showcased his prodigious talent, improvisation skills, and playmaking ability. His first assist came after Nico picked him out with a sublime chipped ball to beat the Bournemouth press. Cherki headed on Nico’s ball to set Haaland on his way. Haaland did the rest to open the scoring in the 17th minute, but Cherki’s improvisation and vision created the opening after Nico’s sublime piece of skill.

Cherki’s second assist came via a clever chipped ball from the French international, which once again played in Erling Haaland. Phil Foden picked out Cherki in midfield, and he played a shrewd ball over the top of the Bournemouth defence, setting Haaland free. Erling Haaland easily rounded Djordje Petrovic to make it 2-1 on the night. Both passages of play showcased the tremendous playmaking ability that Cherki possesses.

Erling Haaland was thrilled to be set up twice by Rayan Cherki for goals during yesterday’s match, and he hoped that those two assists would be the first of many to come. Speaking after Manchester City’s win, he said: “We all know his qualities, so it’s about trying to get the best out of everyone. Today, he had two amazing assists to me. Hopefully, there will be many more.”

There are still areas of Rayan Cherki’s game that need to improve.

While Rayan Cherki dazzled the Etihad and befuddled the Bournemouth defence yesterday, there are still areas of his game that need to improve. The French international did give away possession in dangerous areas of the pitch on several occasions. One such instance in the second half saw Pep Guardiola throw his hands on his head in frustration. That is what Cherki can do. He tries things that other players do not, but the reward outweighs the risk with Cherki’s play. Cherki has barely played this season, so he will continue to learn what Pep Guardiola demands of his team as he trains and plays more often.

Pep Guardiola praised Rayan Cherki’s vision, playmaking, and courage after Manchester City’s win over Bournemouth. He also said that Cherki also needs to learn the City way. He explained post-game: “The vision in the final third is good, and he has the consistency and courage to play. The dynamic that we play, we need a little more time for the rhythm of the Premier League.”

“He scored a goal and an assist against Swansea. Today, he made two assists and has a special talent with the connection to the people up front; it’s unique.”

“It’s not just that, it’s many things. Step by step, he can realise what we need to do.”

Summary.

Rayan Cherki has scored a goal and added three assists in his past two starts for Manchester City. He is a special talent who has stood out in Manchester City’s past two games. But he isn’t the finished product just yet, and you do sense that once Cherki learns the Pep Guardiola way and what is expected of the players in this City team, he could become one of the biggest attacking and creative weapons that City have at their disposal.