- Rayan Cherki has become the first French player since Dimitri Payet to record 10 assists in a debut Premier League season.
- Former teammate Nicolas Tagliafico labels Cherki “disorganised” but “full of quality”.
- Following his wonder-goal against Arsenal and City’s midweek win over Burnley, the Blues find themselves in the driver’s seat for the Premier League crown.
Rayan Cherki’s former Lyon teammate Nicolas Tagliafico has offered plenty of praise for the Frenchman, who has exceeded expectations since his move to Manchester City.
The attacking midfielder joined City in last year’s summer transfer window for £34 million and has contributed to 25 goals in 50 games for the club, most recently assisting twice against Chelsea before stunning Arsenal in another superb display.
Rayan Cherki is a product of Olympique Lyonnais’ youth system and spent six years in the first-team of the French club, playing nearly 200 games and scoring 29 goals, providing 46 assists.
The 22-year-old had the opportunity to join Paris Saint-Germain before he joined Manchester City but that decision to take on the Premier League has since worked wonders, becoming the first Frenchman since Dimitri Payet for West Ham to record 10 assists in his debut season.
“Chaotic”: Tagliafico on why Cherki is a Guardiola outlier
At Lyon, Cherki spent three years with Nicolas Tagliafico, who still plays for the Ligue 1 side, and the left-back has lauded the attacker despite claiming he is not the type of player who suits Pep Guardiola’s system.
“He has so much quality. I don’t know if there are players like him these days,” he said in an interview, with comments relayed by BolaVip.
“Wingers today are more dangerous in one-on-one situations, with speed, but he’s very skilful with both feet, he likes to dribble all over the place, but he’s disorganised.
“I don’t know how Guardiola is putting up with him, because he’s more structured. It’s all very nice when you’re going forward, you have to attack, and it’s good that he’s disorganised but you lose the ball and it creates chaos.
“Despite everything, he’s very good, he’s strong too, he has a lot of talent. And he’s still just a kid, he’s 22.”
The rise of Manchester City’s star No.10
The reliance that Manchester City have had on Rayan Cherki in the second half of the 2025/26 season is purely down to his rise into the first team. In the early stages, he was often a late substitute who would come on and capitalise on defensive fatigue.
Most recently, his goal against Arsenal – where he weaved in and around the likes of Declan Rice and Gabriel before finishing into the bottom corner of David Raya’s net – has placed City in a perfect situation.
That victory, which was topped off by a low finish from Erling Haaland, reduced the gap from Arsenal to three points and a win against Burnley on Wednesday saw Guardiola’s side hit the peak of the division.
It would mark the first time since October that Arsenal dropped below 1st position, with plenty to play for in the remaining five games for Manchester City despite the Gunners responding with a narrow 1-0 win at home to Newcastle.
