Manchester City will take no risks with the fitness of a mercurial match-winner | OneFootball

There was good news on the injury front earlier today for Manchester City. Mercurial playmaker Rayan Cherki returned to training ahead of Manchester City’s upcoming UEFA Champions League league phase fixture against AS Monaco. The French international has missed City’s past six matches due to injury. While it is good news that Cherki is back training, Pep Guardiola has revealed that Cherki is unlikely to feature in Manchester City’s next two matches against AS Monaco and Brentford. City is taking no risks with the fitness of a player who looms as a bona fide match-winner for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Pep Guardiola has revealed that Cherki is unlikely to return until after the upcoming international break.

Speaking ahead of Manchester City’s Champions League fixture against AS Monaco, Pep Guardiola revealed that City are taking a cautious approach with Rayan Cherki’s return to the pitch. Guardiola explained that City do not want to see the French international suffer another injury that could sideline him for an even longer period of time. When asked about when Rayan Cherki could return to the pitch, Pep Guardiola explained: ” It’s so risky because next time it’s surgery, next time it’s four or five months.”

“And I don’t want to take a risk in that game on Sunday (against Brentford). After we have two weeks to fully recover by training alone, with the EDS, with the team, and he (Cherki) will be ready.”

“Rayan Cherki has a special quality in a tight game, in the final third, with his vision and pass, which is difficult to find. That is why it’s important for him to come back and not make a step back.”

There is no need for Manchester City to take any risks with Rayan Cherki’s fitness.

Manchester City have nothing to gain from rushing Rayan Cherki back until he is fully fit. The 25/26 season is still in its infancy and the French international has a key role to play for Pep Guardiola’s side this season. At his best, Cherki is a one-of-a-kind type of player. He is blessed with an unparalleled level of technical ability, and his ability to do the unexpected and spectacular could help his team break down the low defensive blocks they regularly contend with. If any player has match-winner written all over them, it’s Rayan Cherki.

It seems that Manchester City will take no risks with the fitness of Rayan Cherki. That is a good move as City will not want to lose such an important player for a prolonged period of time if he did suffer another injury.