Manager calls the player one of the biggest talents he has ever managed
Pep Guardiola has backed “street player” Rayan Cherki to succeed at Manchester City once he fully settles down at the club.
The 22-year-old forward joined the Cityzens from Lyon in the summer for £30m but has seen too little action due to a thigh injury. He has recovered from the setback and made a cameo in City’s 2-0 win over Everton last weekend.
“Rayan is one of the huge stars I have ever seen in my career,” said Guardiola. “Technically and individually he is top. The question is how he settles and what we are going to do, how he reads the game and every action the game needs.
“He started at the [Club] World Cup, but then there was some time off. [We have to go] step by step, but the talent he has: I have the feeling that most of the time when the ball comes to him, the situation gets better.
Going further to critique the player’s style of play, Guardiola said: “Not all the time he has to play, like, make exceptional things. He has to play just football. But he has something, [like] the pass for Erling [Haaland] in the last moment [against Everton]. Many, many things that he can do.
“He is a guy that doesn’t feel the pressure when is going to get the ball. He’s like a street player. He is grumpy – ‘give me the ball, give me the ball’ – when he doesn’t get the ball, you know.
“He has been a short time here. It will take a bit of time because you have to play with your [team]mates.”
