Former France manager says Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki has ‘no chance’ of going to World Cup | OneFootball

Rayan Cherki’s (22) excellent form, firstly with Olympique Lyonnais and then at Manchester City, has seen him force his way into Didier Deschamps’ plans.

He spectacularly announced himself on the international scene, netting a brilliant goal and registering an assist during a 30-minute cameo as he made his France debut against Spain back in June. When he has been fit, he has continued to be selected by Deschamps, who started the Manchester City forward during the 4-0 win over Ukraine on Thursday. That was his second start for Les Bleus, after the OL academy product missed the previous two international breaks through injury.

Whilst Cherki admitted after the Ukraine game that he had to “do better”, he is certainly in contention to head to the FIFA World Cup at the end of the season… or so you would think. But former France manager Raymond Domenech (2004-2010) thinks otherwise. 

Domenech underselling Cherki’s role at Manchester City?

“(Maghnes) Akliouche, (Michael) Olise, and (Christopher) Nkunku are his direct competition… he has no chance,” said Domenech on L’Équipe de Greg. “Everything depends on what he does at Manchester City, if they go far, if he plays a few games, comes on at the end of some games, a little 15 minutes here and there…” he added. 

Despite an injury-hit start to the campaign, Cherki has already played 13 games for Manchester City, scoring four goals and registering four assists. Certainly not a bit-part player, as Domenech suggests.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle