Cherki is so dangerous – Lijnders | OneFootball

Pep Lijnders has hailed Rayan Cherki as a classy creative spark after his star display in the 4-0 win over Liverpool.

Match Report

Haaland treble inspires record-breaking City into FA Cup semi-finals

Cherki was a joy to watch as City made it through to the FA Cup semi-final following an emphatic Etihad showing on Saturday against Arne Slot’s men.

His pass to play in Antoine Semenyo in the build-up to Erling Haaland and City’s second on the stroke of half-time was one of the undoubted highlights on an afternoon when the Frenchman demonstrated his finesse and flair in abundance.

Lijnders discussed how the coaching staff want to see Cherki continuing to hurt opposition teams when he has the ball at his feet as well as developing his industry when out of possession.

“The only thing we are working on with him is always receiving the ball to hurt the opposition,” he told journalists.

“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.”

While Cherki was impressing on the pitch, two players who didn’t make it out onto the Etihad turf for Saturday’s quarter-final success were Ruben Dias and John Stones.

Lijnders gave an update on the defensive pair in his post-match press conference, stressing it’s a waiting game with both centre-halves.

“Ruben got a knock in the last few minutes of training,” he added.

“We are assessing it. I think he has a scan so we will have to see.

“John will not be long term, I think, but he was not available for today.”

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