It hasn’t taken long for one Manchester City signing to endear himself to City fans | OneFootball

As Manchester City continue their preparations for their opening FIFA Club World Cup Group G fixture against Wydad AC, three of Manchester City’s new signings have spoken to the media at City’s training camp. Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Ait-Nouri have expressed their excitement at playing under Pep Guardiola. Now an interview with Rayan Cherki has emerged. Cherki recently signed for Manchester City from Lyon. Based on Rayan Cherki’s recent comments, he is quickly endearing himself to City fans, and he also seems to be at the perfect club for a player with his attitude, outlook and goals as a player.

Rayan Cherki wants revenge on Manchester United, and that is music to Manchester City fans’ ears.

In an interview published by Jack Gaughan in the Daily Mail, Rayan Cherki spoke of his desire to get payback on Manchester United. Lyon crashed out of last season’s UEFA Europa League at the hands of Manchester City’s arch rivals at the quarter-final stage of the competition. Rayan Cherki’s Lyon side went down 7-6 on aggregate to United. Speaking on that particular defeat, Cherki said: “I didn’t like it when Manchester United won the game against Lyon because I am a Lyonnais. Now I am waiting for the game (to) kill them. I just (wanted) to go to Manchester City.”

Rayan Cherki is itching for the chance to play against Manchester City’s arch rivals. The Lyon defeat to United has seemingly lit a fire under the French international. His words are music to the ears of Manchester City fans, whose hatred of United is well known and obvious. Cherki clearly dislikes United and is eager to beat them when City face off against them in the next Manchester derby. His comments will no doubt be a talking point ahead of the next meeting between the two clubs. But Cherki’s words show the type of personality he is. He isn’t afraid to call it as he sees it. That stood out in his comments on Manchester United.

Rayan Cherki explains what Pep Guardiola expects of him as a player.

But Rayan Cherki’s comments on Manchester United weren’t all that stood out in his interview. The French international also outlined how Pep Guardiola expects him to play. Cherki explained: “I spoke with Pep about my position on the pitch and we spoke about what I enjoy when I’m on the pitch. It’s very good for me. He told me he loves a number 10, but now I play all the positions on the pitch – so it’s not complicated because I just want to play. Pep told me, “When you have the ball, you are free”, which is very good for me because it’s my first quality to help the team.”

Cherki’s comments on how Pep Guardiola expects him to play put to bed the ridiculous notion that the creativity and flair in Cherki’s game will be ‘coached’ out of him. For one, that would be counterproductive. Rayan Cherki is a player whose creativity and flair are key components of his play. It’s what makes him such a compelling player and has made him one of the most exciting Manchester City signings for some time. There is a misguided school of thought that prevails that Guardiola coached the flair out of the game of Jack Grealish. But the fact that Grealish didn’t kick on as a Manchester City player is on Grealish, rather than Pep Guardiola’s style of management. Based on Cherki’s comments it is clear that he won’t be told not to play with his natural instincts.

Rayan Cherki wants to follow in Rodri’s footsteps.

Lastly, Rayan Cherki has set himself the goal of following in Rodri’s footsteps. The French playmaker has outlined his goal of winning the Ballon d’Or at Manchester City. He explained: “When you see Rodri, he won the Ballon d’Or here – it’s clear that with City it’s possible and I am here for this.”

Rayan Cherki has set himself a lofty goal as a Manchester City player. To follow in Rodri’s footsteps is no easy goal to accomplish. Rodri has become the best midfielder in world football during his time at the club. Cherki has all of the talent to follow a similar path to Rodri. The French international has the game to one day become the best playmaker in world football. But the hard work begins now for Cherki to fulfil that goal at Manchester City. It is a goal that is someway off but Cherki has made his intentions clear.

Rayan Cherki has endeared himself to Manchester City fans with his thoughts on Manchester United, his thoughts on where he will play for City and by stating the goals he wishes to accomplish at the club. There is a refreshing honesty to Cherki and that always goes down well with fans. The fact that he is so eager to beat Manchester City’s arch rivals just adds an extra cherry to the top of a tantalising cake.