Benarbia: Cherki is better than I was! | OneFootball

One of the most popular City players of the modern era, Ali Benarbia, believes Rayan Cherki has all the talent needed to become a huge Premier League star.

Our former skipper arrived on a free transfer in October 2001 and became an instant crowd idol, with a football skillset and intelligence honed over a career that had seen him play for PSG, Monaco and Bordeaux.

Aged 33 on his arrival at Maine Road, he would stay for two seasons and made 71 appearances before the rigours of Premier League football made it difficult to perform his magic on a weekly basis.

Now a regular pundit for French TV, Benarbia has watched Cherki’s development closely – and he couldn’t be happier he chose City as his new club.

“Because Kevin De Bruyne left during the summer, City needed not just a good player, but a player who can change the rhythm of the game,” said Benarbia.

“Someone who has the ability to get the ball, pass, dribble, shoot, take corners and free-kicks while at the same time entertaining the fans - Rayan Cherki can do all this and more. He is amazing to watch.

“I think Pep Guardiola will help him progress and that will mean not just doing great things on the ball, but to create for his teammates and work hard as well.

“He has great technique and because he is 22, I believe he is maybe better than I was at that age.

“He can move quicker than I could but, remember, when I arrived at City I was 33 years-old!

“With the work they do now on the fitness, he can use his technique and skills more quickly than I could when I was at the club and I think he will settle fast.”

Benarbia is convinced Cherki has timed his move to perfection.

He believes he is the right age and has gained vital experience through different situations – and he also says joining a City team who are undergoing something of a rebuild is exactly what is needed for the club and the player.

“Obviously your decision-making gets better with age and experience, but I think Cherki has joined Manchester City at the perfect time – why? - because if he came sooner, it wouldn’t have been the right time and maybe if he came later it wouldn’t be the right time, either – but right now, he has joined a City team that is in transition.

“Two seasons ago, it was an unbelievable City team, and it would have been difficult to join a group that had won so much together, but now, it is the perfect moment because last season was very difficult for the club.

“New players were needed and that is what has happened. Cherki will also get to play with Rodri who missed all last season, and this team will be different.

“If De Bruyne had been still at City it would have been difficult, because he needs to play free – and so does Cherki – and you can’t have two players playing free in the same team because the balance would not be good.

“He is not scared to dribble or shoot and even more than Kevin, I believe he will put on a show for the fans – I know the City fans love to win, but they want to win with style and Cherki will certainly provide that and be an effective member of the team.

“I liked to give the fans different skills for them to enjoy because you pay to see your team win, but you want to be entertained as well, and Cherki will do that.

“He is a special player and there aren’t many like him.

“I think he will become one of the best players in the Premier League if he understands what Guardiola wants him to do without the ball. That is the most important thing, I believe, and we will see how that develops.

“I’m not worried about Cherki with the ball, because Haaland, Marmoush, Foden, Bernardo, Rodri… they will enjoy playing with him.”