Official: Manchester City confirm the signing of Rayan Cherki from Lyon | OneFootball

Manchester City have today confirmed the signing of playmaker Rayan Cherki from Lyon. David Ornstein has reported for The Athletic that Manchester City will pay a transfer fee in the region of £33.7 million to sign Cherki. Furthermore, Ornstein reports that Cherki has signed a contract with Manchester City that will run until 2030.

With the signing of Rayan Cherki complete Manchester City have added creativity and flair to their ranks.

As the 24/25 season unfolded, it became apparent that Manchester City desperately needed to add more creativity to their play in the final third. At times, teams frustrated Pep Guardiola’s side with their low defensive blocks. Manchester City’s nil-all draw with Southampton towards the end of last season at the St. Mary’s Stadium is a prime example of this. Pep Guardiola’s side had no one who could pick out a pass on that frustrating day. With the signing of Rayan Cherki complete, it now looks like Manchester City have signed the ultimate lock pick, so to speak.

In 44 appearances in all competitions for Lyon last season, Rayan Cherki scored 12 goals and contributed 20 assists. Those statistics give a glimpse of just how good a player Cherki is. But they only tell part of the story.

In all competitions for Lyon last season, Rayan Cherki created 125 chances. From open play, he created 100. Those statistics put him in the top 5 creative players in Europe. The following statistics are sourced from the following article from Opta Analyst. It is clear to see that Manchester City have signed a player who can be considered a creative force. It’s a need that had to be addressed this summer for City, and they’ve addressed it by signing Rayan Cherki. Cherki can also play on either wing or as a number 10 which shows that he can be creative threat from anywhere on the pitch.

Cherki is dangerous with both feet which makes him infinitely more dangerous as a player.

Outside of statistics, Rayan Cherki passes the eye test as a player. He is a two-footed player which makes him an infinitely more dangerous proposition. It isn’t an uncommon sight to see him take corners with either foot, depending on the needs of his team at the particular time. That is a skill that is rarely seen in today’s game.

But where Cherki’s ability on both feet comes into play is with his dribbling. Cherki is one of the best dribblers in European football. The fact that he can do it with both feet makes him an even more dangerous proposition. Defenders don’t know which way he’ll go, or what he’ll do when in possession. Manchester City have been screaming out for the type of player, and they have now signed one in Cherki.

Rayan Cherki is also adept at shooting with either foot. It’s another one of his special talents. He also thrives playing in tight spaces and the pockets and that is likely where he will prosper at Manchester City.

Rayan Cherki isn’t the finished product as a player, but under Pep Guardiola, he should develop further.

There are deficiencies in Rayan Cherki’s game. Out of possession, his defensive work and pressing aren’t at an elite level. He isn’t a passenger by any stretch, but he isn’t a player that can be considered elite out of possession. Playing under Pep Guardiola in a Manchester City team that must work out of possession should aid Cherki’s development in this side of the game. Outside of that, Cherki will need to learn the nuances of Manchester City’s play but that should come given the prodigious talent Cherki has as a player.

Summary.

After signing Rayan Ait-Nouri, Manchester City have now confirmed the signing of Rayan Cherki from Lyon. Their signings fill an obvious void in Pep Guardiola’s squad and how Cherki develops as a player will be fascinating to watch unfold. If Cherki further develops as a player Manchester City could potentially have signed one of the best players in the game. That’s how good Cherki could become and he could potentially be Manchester City’s most exciting signing since Erling Haaland.