Rayan Cherki’s Ambitions at Manchester City
In a recent interview, Rayan Cherki expressed his ambitions following his transfer to Manchester City from Lyon, where he hopes to leverage the club’s environment to potentially secure the prestigious Ballon d’Or award. The young French talent, now at 21, signed with City for an initial fee of £30.6 million (approximately $41.5 million) just ahead of the Club World Cup, aiming to elevate his career after a standout season with Lyon that also saw him make his senior debut for the national team against Spain.
Joining Manchester City
Cherki is excited to join the ranks of Manchester City, especially after observing the success of teammates like Rodri, who has already achieved the coveted Ballon d’Or.
“Rodri won the Ballon d’Or here, which shows that it’s possible with Manchester City. I’m here to win, and I believe this club has the same winning mentality,”
Cherki stated while at the team’s pre-season camp in Florida.
Upcoming Debut and Fan Affection
His anticipated debut with City is scheduled against Wydad AC from Morocco in Philadelphia this Wednesday. Additionally, Cherki has already garnered fan affection, particularly for his commitment to maintaining City’s supremacy over their fiercest rivals, Manchester United. He has vivid memories of last season’s Europa League match at Old Trafford, where Lyon had a dramatic setback, allowing a comeback from United that turned a 4-2 lead in extra time into a 5-4 defeat. Reflecting on that game, Cherki remarked,
“I don’t like it when Manchester United wins against Lyon. Now I’m looking forward to the game to turn things around.”
Concerns About Tactical Fit
There are, however, some concerns regarding how Cherki will align with Pep Guardiola’s tactical approach, especially in the wake of Kevin De Bruyne’s exit from the squad, which leaves a gap for a creative forward. While Cherki is known for his offensive talents, critics have previously questioned his defensive work rate, a key expectation within Guardiola’s system. He mentioned,
“Pep told me: ‘when you have the ball, you are free,’ which is great as that’s my skill, helping the team with the ball. We discussed my position and what I love to do on the pitch, and I felt very much wanted by Pep. The club, the city, everything feels just right for me here.”
