Manchester City's summer signing Rayan Cherki is being hailed as a footballing 'genius' by former France coach Laurent Blanc, while national team captain Kylian Mbappe has labelled the playmaker a 'special talent'. The 22-year-old, who joined City for £30 million, is quickly justifying the excitement surrounding his move to the Premier League champions.
High Praise from Legends
In the build-up to France's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine, the football world's attention turned to the young maestro. Mbappe did not hold back in his assessment, stating, "He's a special talent. For me, he has a gift that he's developing. It's an innate and very spectacular talent." He also highlighted Cherki's seamless integration into both the France squad and his new club, noting a "special connection with his teammates and his No.9" at Manchester City.
This endorsement from his captain comes after Cherki scored on his France debut in a 5-4 defeat to Spain in June and then replicated the feat on his Premier League debut against Wolves in August.
Blanc's Analysis: Freedom and Consistency
Laurent Blanc, who coached Cherki at Lyon during the 2022-23 season, provided a deeper tactical insight. "I don't know where it comes from, whether it's street talent or innate talent, but he's brimming with it," Blanc told L'Equipe. "He's a rare gem... He has no technical limitations. His limitations will be more tactical and physical."
Blanc revealed that Cherki's journey has involved maturing into a more reliable player. "When I had to coach him, he wasn't yet reliable, not consistent," he admitted, but praised the development he has observed over the last two years. The World Cup winner was adamant about how to best utilise Cherki's abilities: "He has to be played. And yes, he has to be given freedom. Because I'm convinced that with Rayan, you'll always have a better chance of winning than losing."
A Bright Future at City and Beyond
The praise from Blanc and Mbappe follows earlier plaudits from within the Etihad Stadium. Manager Pep Guardiola claimed earlier this season that Cherki was "one of the most talented players" he had ever seen. Teammate Jérémy Doku also chimed in, describing him as "a bit of a street player, he's not afraid of anything."
Blanc did issue a 'serious' warning, noting that expectations will now rise. "For him, things are about to get serious. We're going to be more and more demanding," he said. However, he believes Cherki's love for the game insulates him from pressure, stating, "He has enough talent to rise to the challenge."
With a crucial season ahead for Manchester City in their pursuit of the Premier League and Champions League, followed by the World Cup next summer, all eyes will be on this exceptional talent to see if he can continue his meteoric rise and become a defining player for both club and country.
