Pierre Sage on Rayan Cherki: ‘There is no reason for him not to become one of the best players in the world.’ | OneFootball

Rayan Cherki (21) has seen his stock rise significantly in recent weeks and months. After the most successful campaign of his young career, the Olympique Lyonnais academy product recently made his debut for the France national team. Coming off the bench in the semi-final of the UEFA Nations League on Thursday, he netted a spectacular volley and registered an assist, despite Les Bleus being knocked out of the competition.

Having scored 12 goals and registered 20 assists for Lyon last season, he is also expected to secure a big move away from his formative club this summer. Manchester City are in pole position to sign the France international, however, Liverpool too retain a strong interest.

He has now received high praise from one of his former managers at OL, Pierre Sage, who worked with Cherki over an 18-month period and oversaw his rise to prominence. “His goal against Spain shows that he is different,” Sage told Le Parisien.

He continued, “His ability to see what others do not, to pull off high-quality actions, makes him a world-class player. This goal, for example, is just a part of the expression of his talent. Rayan, as we know, won’t be limited from a technical or tactical standpoint. If he continues to express these things over time, in different contexts, with his club as well as with his national team, there is no reason for him not to become one of the best players in the world in the years to come.” Whether that will be with Manchester City, we will soon find out.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle