Rayan Cherki explains why he is Manchester City’s ideal Kevin De Bruyne replacement | OneFootball

Rayan Cherki has explained how he envisions himself fitting into Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City squad after completing his much-awaited move from Lyon.

The 21-year-old France international is the name on everyone’s lips after lighting the footballing world up with his first set of senior National Team appearances in the last week, which makes Manchester City’s coup all the more exciting.

Cherki was brought off the bench after 65 minutes by France manager Didier Deschamps as France trailed 5-1 against Spain in their UEFA Nations League semi-final defeat and were crying out for attacking inspiration against Luis de la Fuente’s side.

The Manchester City signing wasted no time to make an impact and grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, scoring a sensational volley from outside the box after picking up Kylian Mbappe’s pass with 11 minutes to go.

France subsequently turned to their architect-in-chief to orchestrate attack in the closing stages, with Cherki running the show on his senior debut and setting up Randal Kolo Muani in the dying minutes to make it 5-4, though it was too little, too late for the chasing side.

However, Cherki has received huge plaudits for spearheading the valiant French effort to pull level and was rewarded for his impressive debut cameo with a full debut against Germany for the third-place fixture, which France won by a score of 2-0.

Manchester City have gotten their hands on one of the most exciting young creators in world football and the excitement is mutual between the Blues and Cherki, who can’t wait to put on the sky blue jersey and introduce his talents to the English top-flight.

Speaking in his first interview as a Manchester City player, the young Frenchman explained his style of play and why he felt this was too good an opportunity to turn down as he looks to progress his career and develop as a player.

“I’m very excited to play for Manchester City. It’s the biggest club in Europe,” Cherki said in an in-house Manchester City media interview.

“I love the style of play, it’s very important for me. It’s my choice and I think it’s the best choice for my career because Manchester City are the best for me.

On the added bonus of working with Pep Guardiola, the new signing added: “For me, he (Guardiola) is the best coach in the world and I think he’s the best coach in history. I am passionate to play for him!

“My style is easy. I love to play with the ball, do skills and help team-mates. I am here to make people happy and this is very important to me.

“I prefer to play number 10 but right now, I just want to play. Where I am is not important, I just want to be on the pitch and help the team win. I am ready.”