Manchester City may have signed the ultimate lock pick this summer | OneFootball

Earlier this summer Manchester City completed the signing of Rayan Cherki from Lyon. The French international arrives at the Etihad as one of the most creative players in Europe. Given that Pep Guardiola’s side regularly contend with teams that play with a low defensive block Rayan Cherki’s best attributes could see him become the ultimate lock pick for Manchester City.

In an interview with the City Magazine, Cherki has spoken of the spontaneity in his play. Looking at this attribute of Cherki’s play and how he has honed it, he could prove to be invaluable to Pep Guardiola’s side next season.

Rayan Cherki has spoken of how he has brought the ability he learned in the streets to European football.

In a wide-ranging interview, Rayan Cherki credited his father with being the foundation of his career. But outside of that, he spoke of learning to play in the streets of his hometown, which helped him become the player that he is. Cherki explained: “It’s not a part of my DNA – it is my DNA.”

“I learned to play football in the streets, in the estates, on concrete. So, naturally, it’s my DNA, and I’ll never change that.”

“It brings a different style. We know that players like that are harder to find these days. So, that style we have must be preserved, refined, and improved every day.”

“Spontaneity is in my DNA; it’s about not calculating what you do. That’s a quality we have. There are so many qualities in street football DNA; if I list them all, we’ll be here until tomorrow!”

A player who can produce the unexpected could prove to be invaluable to Manchester City.

As mentioned above Manchester City regularly contend with teams that employ a low defensive block to stifle Pep Guardiola’s side. It is designed to frustrate City and allow their opponents to get at them in the counterattack. At times it is employed with varying degrees of success. We saw that throughout the 24/25 season. What Manchester City need to break open such tactics is players who can produce the unpredictable. Kevin De Bruyne, in his prime, was one such player. But he has now left the club. City will have to replace what De Bruyne could produce. That will be a team effort but Cherki’s spontaneity could help in this regard.

Rayan Cherki is blessed with an innate ability to beat a defender with his dribbling ability. That could cause nightmares for Manchester City’s opponents. But outside of that tremendous attribute, Cherki is also a player who has an eye for a defence-splitting ball. Those attributes, coupled with his ability to produce the unexpected, could be of immense value to Manchester City. When City are frustrated by an opponent, Cherki could help unpick a defence with one sublime piece of skill, a tremendous cross or a through ball. That’s what makes him such an exciting signing. Cherki is almost a one-of-a-kind player and he is at Pep Guardiola’s disposal.

Summary.

Rayan Cherki has the ability to become the ultimate lock pick for Manchester City. There is a spontaneity to his play that he spoke of above. It’s a beautiful attribute for any player to have and it could prove invaluable to Pep Guardiola’s side. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Cherki produce a host of magical moments for City. It may only be a matter of time before the first occurs that sets him on his way as a Manchester City player.