Manchester City unveil brand new No.10 after Jack Grealish’s exit | OneFootball

Manchester City have announced an immediate replacement in the No.10 shirt for the club following Jack Grealish’s move to Everton this summer.

The change comes just days after Grealish’s loan switch to Goodison Park was confirmed, ending his four-season spell wearing the No.10 at the Etihad Stadium. While City supporters had anticipated the shirt being passed to a player of attacking flair, the club wasted no time in confirming its next occupant.

The decision reflects Pep Guardiola’s continued push to refresh and evolve his squad as part of a wider summer rebuild, and Rayan Cherki’s arrival earlier in the window was already one of City’s most talked-about transfers.

The Frenchman joined from Lyon as part of a long-term plan to add creativity and unpredictability to the forward line. His elevation to the prestigious shirt number now cements his status as a central figure in the 2025/26 campaign.

It also signals a show of faith from Pep Guardiola and Manchester City’s hierarchy in his ability to deliver immediately in the Premier League. For Cherki, it is both an honour and a responsibility to uphold the legacy attached to the number.

As announced by Manchester City this week, Rayan Cherki will wear the No.10 shirt for the club across the 2025/26 season following Jack Grealish’s loan move to Everton.

The alteration comes after the Frenchman had worn the club’s No.29 shirt at the summer’s FIFA Club World Cup tournament in the United States, making his debut in a 2-0 win over Wydad AC before scoring his first goal for the club in a 6-0 victory over Al Ain.

Cherki had previously selected the No.18 shirt at Olympique Lyonnais after breaking into the French side’s first-team as a 16-year-old back in October 2019, representing the number throughout his 185 appearances for his boyhood side.

The 21-year-old now becomes the latest to wear the No.10 shirt at the Etihad Stadium, following a number of high-profile names in addition to Jack Grealish, such as the likes of Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero.

Looking ahead, Rayan Cherki’s role will be under the microscope from the very first whistle of the new season. His performances in pre-season – particularly in the Club World Cup – have already hinted at a player unafraid of the big stage.

Fans will now expect that confidence to translate into decisive contributions in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League in particular. There will also be intrigue over how he fits into Guardiola’s tactical plans.

With City boasting a wealth of attacking talent, including Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku, competition for places will be fierce. However, the symbolic handing over of the No.10 suggests Cherki is earmarked for a prominent position, possibly in a central playmaking role.

Should he thrive, Rayan Cherki could quickly write his name into Manchester City folklore, much like his predecessors. But with the pressure of expectation and the shadow of the No.10 legacy, the coming months could possibly be the making of his career at the Etihad Stadium.