Pep Guardiola Personally Contacts 21 Year Old Talent To Bring Him To Manchester City: Do The Team Need Him? | OneFootball

Manchester City ended a 2024-25 season that left many doubts. They failed to compete with the same authority as in previous years and finished third in the Premier League table, something unusual for a team used to dominating. In addition, their elimination in the Round of 16 of the Champions League made it clear that the team lost its spark, especially in decisive moments.

With the departure of Kevin De Bruyne, Guardiola has been left without a creative mastermind to pull the strings in the final third of the pitch. The team need a player capable of providing fluidity, surprise, and take command in the final third. That is why the search for a reinforcement became a priority.

Pep Guardiola Personally Contacts Rayan Cherki To Bring Him To Manchester City

According to Foot Mercato, Manchester City are very close to signing Rayan Cherki, a young playmaker from Olympique Lyon. The 21-year-old French player has attracted attention for his technical ability, his vision and his control on the ball. Guardiola, aware of his potential, has already held direct talks with him. This contact has had a clear impact on the player’s decision to move to England. City are looking to close the deal as soon as possible, relying on the coach’s word as the decisive argument.

DECINES-CHARPIEU, FRANCE – APRIL 10: Rayan Cherki of Olympique Lyonnais during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match between Olympique Lyonnais and Manchester United at OL Stadium on April 10, 2025 in Decines-Charpieu, France. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Cherki can bring something different to the team. He is unpredictable, plays very well with the ball at his feet and has the courage to go forward, something City have lacked at times this season. Guardiola knows how to mould technical players, and with Cherki he has the chance to make him a key player.

Do The Team Need Him?

He has a good change of pace, can move all over the front line and is not afraid to try what others dare not. Cherki’s age may work against him at first, but if he finds the ideal context, he can explode quickly. The challenge will be to convince him of the project, especially when clubs in other leagues could offer him guaranteed minutes.

But Guardiola has sporting arguments, recent history and a squad full of talent. From another perspective, this signing also means that City are continuing to go for more risky and less conventional profiles, rather than established signings. It could be a move that restores freshness to a squad that seemed stagnant at times, but will Pep’s discourse be enough to tip the balance? Probably yes. But beyond that, Cherki may end up being one of the surprises of the next season.