Where does a French international fit into the Manchester City lineup? | OneFootball

Rayan Cherki made his return to the Manchester City squad for their 1-nil win over Brentford before the international break. Cherki was an unused substitute in City’s win at the GTech Community Stadium. The fact that Cherki didn’t get on the pitch wasn’t a surprise. Pep Guardiola did tell the media that Cherki likely wouldn’t return to the pitch until after the current international break.

But when Cherki returns to the pitch, where does he fit in the Manchester City squad? The French international is a versatile player who can play in a variety of roles. His fit into Pep Guardiola’s squad isn’t immediately clear on closer inspection. Wherever Cherki is deployed, Manchester City will have a bona fide match-winner in their ranks, given Cherki’s ability to produce the spectacular from anywhere on the pitch.

Rayan Cherki has played in a variety of roles across his career.

During his time at Lyon, Rayan Cherki played in a variety of roles for the Ligue One side. He has played on the left and right wing, but his best role was playing as a number ten or a in a free role and drifting around the final third for Lyon. Playing as a number ten allows Cherki to maximise his talent. With his eye for a pass, immense dribbling ability, and spectacular ability to shoot and pass on either foot, playing as a number ten and drifting all over the pitch does suit Rayan Cherki’s game.

Looking at how Manchester City have played over the past seven matches, Phil Foden has become the creative hub for his team in midfield. Phil Foden has lined up in midfield, and has looked to be getting back to his best in a midfield role. That is a role that Cherki could play in Pep Guardiola’s side. The French international is a similar type of player to Foden, although Cherki isn’t as much of a goal threat as Foden. Perhaps Cherki could rotate in midfield with the England international as the fixture list for City ramps up. Although, at some point, it would be great to see Foden and Cherki on the pitch together to see what havoc they could wreak.

Perhaps Rayan Cherki could slot in on the right wing to play alongside Phil Foden. That would open up the possibility of the pair interchanging positions throughout 90 minutes. Oscar Bobb, Savinho and Bernardo Silva look to be Cherki’s competition for a spot on the right wing. Cherki can play on the left wing, but Jeremy Doku and Omar Marmoush seem to have that position to themselves with some competition coming from Savinho.

Summary.

The return of Rayan Cherki from injury does give Pep Guardiola a genuine match-winner to let loose. Cherki’s versatility as a player, coupled with his prodigious talent, makes him a tantalising player in the Manchester City squad. For me, the French international looms as a creative hub playing as a number ten and drifting all over the pitch, or interchanging positions with Phil Foden for example, for Manchester City. We could see him drift all over the pitch for Pep Guardiola’s side once he is back at full fitness. That is an exciting proposition to ponder given what Rayan Cherki will add to a Manchester City squad that is unbeaten in their past seven matches in all competitions.