Manchester City’s rising star Rayan Cherki is being predicted to reach the elite levels of Kevin De Bruyne after successfully adapting to Pep Guardiola’s intense expectations. Former City defender Gael Clichy believes the young Frenchman has undergone a significant learning experience at the Etihad Stadium, evolving into a complete playmaker under one of football’s most demanding managers.
The Guardiola influence on Cherki
Long regarded as one of Europe’s most promising prospects, Cherki’s move to the Premier League has added a layer of tactical maturity to his game. Clichy, who previously worked with Cherki as Thierry Henry’s assistant coach for the French U-23 side, observed that the 22-year-old had to adjust to the rigorous standards of top-level football after years of being the standout figure in youth competitions.
According to Clichy, Cherki’s time at Lyon allowed him to occasionally neglect defensive duties because of his outstanding attacking contributions. However, at Manchester City, he had to completely shift his mindset to embrace every phase of play. “Working with Pep can either make you or break you. It’s quite simple – if you listen and follow what he asks, then, with Rayan’s quality, you have every chance to become great. But if you don’t understand what Pep wants or refuse to adapt, that relationship can fall apart,” Clichy explained in his BBC column while reflecting on Cherki’s development.
On the trail of Kevin De Bruyne
Clichy believes that if Cherki continues to improve his work rate off the ball, his creative potential knows no bounds. He emphasised that once a manager fully trusts a player defensively, they are more inclined to give them freedom to express themselves in attack.
“Rayan has always been an exceptional talent in terms of pure technique, but football is not only about what you do with the ball – it’s about your contribution when you don’t have it,” Clichy said. “I always believed that if he added that side to his game, coaches would trust him completely – and then we could be talking about a player capable of reaching Kevin De Bruyne’s level in terms of assists and goal creation.”
This projection aligns with Cherki’s remarkable debut season at the Etihad, where he scored 10 goals and registered 15 assists, establishing himself as a key creative force in Guardiola’s system.
Recognition from within the French squad
Paris Saint-Germain’s young midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery recently hailed Cherki’s talent as “genius,” revealing that French teammates are frequently amazed by his skills during training sessions.
Sharing his thoughts on playing alongside the Manchester City star, the 20-year-old said: “He doesn’t just impress me, he impresses everyone. Sometimes he produces moves even he doesn’t fully understand – it’s pure genius! When you have someone like Rayan, you need to get the ball to him because he’s always decisive. He’s an incredible player.” Such praise suggests that Cherki is on track to take on a more influential role for Les Bleus as they prepare for the upcoming World Cup.
No boundaries for France’s new sensation
As Pep Guardiola prepares to leave Manchester City, he departs having shaped a player who has grown immensely in a short period. At just 22, Cherki remains in the developmental stage of his career, but the foundation laid under Guardiola’s guidance has set him up for long-term success.
Clichy summed it up by saying: “He’s only had one season under Pep, but if he continues to refine his game and deliver the kind of performances we saw at City, there’s truly no limit to what he can achieve.” With a major international tournament approaching, Rayan Cherki may well be the next French player to emerge as a global superstar.
