Manchester Metropolis supervisor Pep Guardiola has admitted that it is going to be troublesome for the membership to exchange Kevin De Bruyne following Rayan Cherki’s debut on the FIFA Membership World Cup
The previous Lyon star, who moved to England in a deal value £34million, made his aggressive debut for Manchester Metropolis of their snug 2-0 win over African giants Wydad Casablanca.
Though the France worldwide didn’t significantly elevate the roof along with his efficiency, Pep Guardiola, who admitted it is going to be troublesome to exchange the Belgian star who moved to Napoli, believes Cherki will nonetheless come out good for the Residents.
In the meantime, Cherki’s arrival in Manchester is anticipated to boost extra curiosity in Manchester Metropolis tickets for the forthcoming season.
What Guardiola mentioned about De Bruyne and Cherki
In his post-match response after seeing his aspect beat Wydad on Wednesday, Guardiola mentioned he was comfortable to see Cherki’s arrival from Lyon and believes he can do many issues on the membership.
“In fact Kevin is troublesome to exchange, we all know that,” he mentioned. “For the standard he has, there isn’t any doubt about it, however on the similar time the membership selected Rayan as a result of he has unbelievable expertise near the field and nice imaginative and prescient, passing in lots of issues.
“It was only a first recreation with robust, robust circumstances. I’m actually happy he got here right here.”
In an interview with DAZN, Guardiola additionally added: “Tijjani [Reijnders] performed very effectively, Rayan [Cherki] had good moments. Everybody has to get to know us and see what occurs.”
Cherki: I’m not Kevin De Bruyne
In an interview earlier than his debut with reporters, together with MailSport’s Jack Gaughan from Manchester Metropolis’s coaching base in Florida’s Boca Raton, Cherki immediately rejected the concept that he’s the direct alternative for Kevin De Bruyne.
“I’m not Kevin de Bruyne – he’s the legend [of the club]. I’m right here to assist the staff. We now have one of the best gamers on this planet. I work and I wait my flip,” Cherki insisted.
“I spoke with Pep [Guardiola] about my place on the pitch and we spoke about what I get pleasure from once I’m on the pitch. It’s superb for me. He advised me he loves a No10, however now I play all of the positions on the pitch – so it’s not sophisticated as a result of I simply wish to play, he added.
Rayan Cherki added: “Pep advised me, ‘When you might have the ball, you’re free’, which is superb for me as a result of it’s my first high quality to assist the staff.”
The 21-year-old playmaker additionally admitted that his final season at Lyon was his finest, “I feel I had one of the best season of my profession, managed to make individuals speak solely about good issues: my passes, dribbling.
“I don’t hear many individuals speaking concerning the unfounded criticism I confronted. assume I took a step ahead in all features: my effectivity, defensive work, and efforts with out the ball. Everybody is aware of my offensive fashion, dribbling, and passing.
“That’s not what I labored on most; I as a substitute labored on figuring out what I needed to grow to be, which makes the distinction.”
No two gamers are the identical, however they might be related of their play, and that’s what Rayan Cherki is getting the comparability to Kevin De Bruyne. Earlier than each of them. Metropolis had David Silva, and he additionally made his mark in Manchester.
Will Rayan Cherki fill the void left by Kevin De Bruyne?
Rayan Cherki was extremely rated in Ligue 1 and comes right into a Manchester Metropolis aspect experiencing a rebuild. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder, who made his identify at French outfit Lyon, arrives on the Etihad Stadium on a five-year deal.
Cherki, a product of the academy since age seven, made 185 appearances in all competitions for his boyhood membership. He made his first staff debut in a 0–0 Ligue 1 draw towards Dijon in October 2019. Lower than 4 months later, he grew to become the membership’s youngest goalscorer following his objective within the Coupe de France.
Like he admitted above, Cherki had one of the best of his profession within the 2024/25 season, as he contributed eight targets and 11 assists in solely 22 league begins. He was additionally key in Lyon’s quarter-final run within the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League, contributing 4 targets and eight assists.
“This can be a dream for me,” Cherki mentioned after being unveiled as a brand new Manchester Metropolis participant. “Truthfully, to be becoming a member of a membership like Manchester Metropolis and have the chance to take the following step in my profession right here is one thing particular.
“I’ve labored so onerous for this all my life. I really like this sport, and I can’t wait to develop additional right here in Manchester with Pep and his backroom workers.
“Everybody is aware of how good Metropolis are – they’ve been so profitable for a few years now. The duty to assist the staff proceed successful is one thing I wish to embrace.
“I’d solely depart Lyon for a undertaking I actually imagine in and every part at Metropolis suggests I can develop my recreation and assist the staff achieve success sooner or later. I can’t wait to point out Metropolis followers what I can do.”
It’s secure to say that Cherki is only a younger Kevin De Bruyne who has not reached full maturity but. KDB did superb issues in Manchester, however that is Cherki’s time. The French worldwide can even play throughout the frontline or behind the striker. He’s an insane dribbler who can even thread line-breaking passes within the remaining third. Other than De Bruyne’s work fee, Cherki appears particular, and with time, it’ll grow to be evident.
Within the French Ligue 1 within the 2024/25 season, no participant made extra assists than Cherki (11). By way of possibilities created, solely Junya Ito (83) created greater than Cherki (75), additional confirming his nearness to De Bruyne when it comes to creativity.
By way of high quality, the 21-year-old has every part to succeed and make a reputation for himself at Manchester Metropolis, and never simply substitute Kevin De Bruyne. Cherki might need did not ship in his first recreation, however there are nonetheless a number of video games to be performed, and Metropolis followers will simply need to be affected person with him.
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