Rayan Cherki, Manchester City enigma, ready for a big role and player to watch at the World Cup
By OnzeActu · · 2 min read
Recruited last summer from OL, Rayan Cherki erased doubts after a brilliant 2025-26 season at Manchester City. President Khaldoon Al Mubarak says he knew Cherki could become special. In the selection, the Frenchman also shone by scoring the first goal in the friendly match lost 2-1 against Ivory Coast - a sign that he could weigh in at the next World Cup.
Rayan Cherki has had a remarkable first season in the colors of Manchester City. Arriving from Olympique Lyonnais as an obvious talent but objectively questioned about his ability to establish himself in a world-class squad, Cherki has now brushed aside these questions with his performances during the 2025-26 financial year.
In his annual end-of-season interview, Manchester City president Khaldoon Al Mubarak recalled that the club was convinced of Cherki's potential even before his arrival last summer. He insisted on the youth of the player and the quality of the Cityzen squad: “We were strongly convinced that Rayan [Cherki] had the potential to become a fairly exceptional player. And I remind you: he is still a young man. But looking at the team today, beyond Rayan, with the great talent from top to bottom, with Erling [Haaland], Rodri, [Antoine] Semenyo, Jeremy Doku who has been phenomenal this season, [Abdukodir] Khusanov extraordinary, Nico O'Reilly, [Gianluigi] Donnarumma..."
Image
“In every position we have very young talented players and, with the depth of experience of players like Rodri for example, we really have one hell of a team,” he added, highlighting the important role Cherki can play in the club's new era.
The Frenchman's progress was also seen in the selection. In the friendly match against Ivory Coast, which France ultimately lost 2-1, Cherki offered a flash of genius by opening the score just before half-time. On the side of the Ivorian surface, he eliminated two defenders thanks to an impressive technical sequence before deceiving goalkeeper Yahia Fofana with a right shot.
This goal summed up what Manchester City saw in him this season: an ability to make a difference through individual initiative and creativity. After his convincing exercise with City and this performance with the Blues, Cherki appears today as a major player for his club and as a player to follow closely during the next World Cup. If he confirms on the international scene, he could approach the following season with even more confidence and aim to dominate in the Premier League and in Europe with Manchester City.