Manchester City have completed their third signing of the summer by landing Rayan Cherki from Lyon.
The Citizens have wasted no time in strengthening their ranks ahead of the Club World Cup, signing Rayan Ait-Nouri and Marcus Bettinelli ahead of Rayan Cherki.
Now, City have signed the Frenchman in a deal reportedly worth £34million, just days after Cherki confirmed he was Etihad-bound.
City director Hugo Viana has now delivered his verdict on Cherki as he told City fans what they could expect from the attacking midfielder.
Hugo Viana backs Rayan Cherki to become ‘world-class’ at Manchester City
Viana, speaking to the City media team after Cherki’s signing was announced, said he was confident the player would develop into a “world-class” player.
Viana also revealed that City’s scouts have been impressed with Cherki and added that he’s convinced City fans will be excited to see him play.
“We’re very happy to have Rayan at City,” said Viana. “We want to bring top talent to the club, and he falls into that category.
“He’s a player our scouts have watched for a long time, and we have all been impressed with his skill and creativity. I am convinced our fans will be excited to see him play.
“There’s no doubt that he’s now in the best place possible to develop further under Pep’s guidance and I really believe he can become a world-class player with our support and direction.”
What Rayan Cherki could bring to Manchester City
Cherki is just 21 years of age but he has already shown he can deliver at the highest level.
The City newcomer bagged 12 goals and 20 assists in 44 games for Lyon last season, including four goals and eight assists in the Europa League.
Cherki also stunned on his France debut, coming close to dragging his nation to a draw in the Nations League loss to Spain.
“He is the best natural talent I’ve ever seen,” teammate Ainsley Maitland-Niles told BBC Sport earlier this year.
| Statistic | Per 90 | Percentile |
| Goals scored | 0.35 | 81% |
| Shots | 1.98 | 46% |
| Assists | 0.48 | 99% |
| Passes completed | 45 | 95% |
| Passing accuracy | 84% | 77% |
| Long passes completed | 1.76 | 89% |
| Chances created | 3.3 | 99% |
| Crosses completed | 1.23 | 80% |
| Take-ons completed | 2.11 | 85% |
| Touches | 75.35 | 97% |
| Touches in opp. box | 6.42 | 90% |
| Poss. won in final third | 0.62 | 51% |
| Total tackles | 0.66 | 7% |
| Duels won | 4.44 | 35% |
| Aerial duels won | 0.18 | 10% |
| Interceptions | 0.31 | 26% |
“An absolute master, a wizard with the ball. He’s taking chances, assists and dragging us up the pitch by taking people on and nutmegging them – he is a genius.
“He is two-footed, has no fear, keeps going and going, can get past people with such ease, such finesse.
“He is now working for the team off the ball and has gone to another level this season.”
