Manchester City's Rayan Cherki signing explained: Tactical Fit and Long-Term Potential

Manchester City's Rayan Cherki signing explained

The Citizens sealed the signing of exciting French winger Rayan Cherki earlier this week for a fee of €35m, signing a five-year contract in the process.

The seven-time Premier League champions fought off competition from the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United, AC Milan and even Liverpool for his signature.

Welcome to City, @rayan_cherki 🩵💫 pic.twitter.com/a17J2OBsI7

— Manchester City (@ManCity) June 11, 2025

For a 21-year-old that has attracted such suitors globally to move for a small fee relative to today's market may seem odd, but here's why:

Olympique Lyonnais forced to sell

The French club are owned by John Textor, who is also a co-owner of Crystal Palace and the largest shareholder of Botafogo.

It was revealed last November that the French club had debts of £422m, which led to them having a January window transfer ban plus provisional relegation to Ligue 2 if finances didn't significantly improve.

🚨 Olympique Lyonnais have been handed a provisional Ligue 2 relegation 👀

If Lyon fail to pay off their debts at the end of the season their relegation will be permanent 😬🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/oSzO3aC3L1

— OneFootball (@OneFootball) November 15, 2024

Therefore, the desperation to sell players like Cherki to remain in the top division led to cut-price fees being agreed, regardless of the Frenchman's obvious talent.

Tactical Fit

Cherki is a left-footed winger who is mostly deployed out on the right-wing. Upon recieving the ball, he looks to isolate the opposition's fullback by staying wide to the touchline before taking them on and favourably cutting inside onto his stronger foot for a shot on goal.

Furthermore, his ability to drift from the right into central areas allows for rotations with the striker or attacking midfielders, which can open up space within the pockets as this can be a nightmare for defenders to mark.

A perfect example of him rotating into the middle was his goal at Old Trafford in the Europa League in April, whereby Alexandre Lacazette pulls away into a more unfamiliar right-hand position.

⏮️ Throwback to Rayan Cherki's two goals against Man Utd in the Europa League this season 🎯

Premier League bound soon? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/hoCx4SYWYu

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) June 4, 2025

This is a perfect fit under a Pep Guardiola system, as he has always deployed left-footers out on the right throughout his managerial career, whether it be Lionel Messi, Arjen Robben, Riyad Mahrez and now Savinho.

However, with Savinho not hitting the heights expected of him in his first season with a tally of two goals and 12 assists in all competitions, Cherki will hope to slot straight into the starting lineup.

Savinho vs PSG:

0 goals
0 assists
0 chances created
0 key passes
0 successful dribbles
0 accurate crosses
0 duels won
0 fouls won

Hooked at half time. pic.twitter.com/MK1MtiZtWU

— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) January 22, 2025

Furthermore, Cherki's ability to stay in wide areas and isolate the fullback is perfect in Manchester City's system of inverting their own defenders, as it solidifies a box midfield to dominate central areas, allowing their attacking midfielders to push further forward to create 2v1 overloads out wide.

An alternative route could be for the Frenchman to replace Kevin De Bruyne in the central attacking midfield areas, as the Belgian legend has now departed for Napoli.

Standing at 5ft 10 inches and of medium build, Cherki possesses a low centre of gravity that assists his quick half turns to beat opponents plus his exceptional close control and skill means he can navigate his way out of tight scenarios that then opens up space for the striker.

A benefit to playing him as an attacking midfielder would be that he isn't an intense presser out of possession as Guardiola demands to win the ball back high up the pitch, so having him in the middle takes away much of this responsibility.

Yet, he isn't anywhere near the defensive ability of De Bruyne to track back and put a foot in, so perhaps the Spanish manager will avoid playing him in the middle out of fear of leaving his side too exposed in defensive transitions.

Long-Term Potential

With 183 professional appearances at just 21, Cherki is progressing well beyond his years. A runner-up in both of France's domestic cup competitions, the ex-Lyon man has 74 G/A to his name since debuting for the first team in the 2019/20 season.

But, his talent moves way beyond that as the 125 chances created last season puts him behind only Bruno Fernandes and Raphinha - the latter who is in the running for this year's Ballon D'or - as the player with the most chances created in all of Europe this season, despite playing considerably fewer matches.

Only two players created more chances in Europe last season than Man City’s new winger Rayan Cherki 👀 pic.twitter.com/Edzyt3NIOK

— Premier League USA (@PLinUSA) June 11, 2025

After starring for the French national team at their home Olympics, Cherki debuted for the federation side earlier this month as they competed for silverware in the knockouts of the UEFA Nations League.

Coming on as a substitute in the semi-final whilst 4-1 down, the winger scored a stunning volley as he inspired his nation back into the contest despite eventually losing 5-4.

A Goal of the Tournament contender from France debutant Rayan Cherki 🥵#UNLGOTR | @AlipayPlus pic.twitter.com/6fj4dABpGB

— UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) June 5, 2025

It's clear to see that Manchester City have one of Europe's greatest talents on their hands that could end up competing for Player of the Year awards for the next decade.