Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has delivered an emphatic verdict on summer signing Rayan Cherki.
Manchester City have bolstered their ranks considerably this summer, with Rayan Cherki one of several top talents who have joined over the past few months.
Cherki joined the Citizens to much fanfare before the Club World Cup after dazzling for Lyon last season, and he marked his competitive City debut with a goal at Wolves.
Speaking ahead of City’s meeting with Tottenham Hotspur, Pep Guardiola shared what has especially impressed him about Cherki.
Pep Guardiola wowed by Rayan Cherki’s final-third vision
Guardiola has no doubts that Cherki will develop into an outstanding player for City.
The manager pointed to a number of key traits in Cherki’s repertoire, including his vision in the final third and his skills with both feet.
“He’s a top-class player in small spaces. The vision he has in the final third is unbelievable,” Guardiola told the City website.
“His right and his left foot. We’ll see when he performs. For people up front, it’s a question of numbers and he played 20 minutes and scored a goal.
“There are a lot of games and everyone will be so important. We’re so happy to have him, he’s just 21 years old.
“He’s a top signing for the potential he has and he is open minded. I don’t have doubts that he will be a top-class player, his quality is exceptional.”
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Rayan Cherki backed to be the ‘surprise of the Premier League this season’
Guardiola is not the only individual to back Cherki for stardom. A number of pundits have also said as much.
Owen Hargreaves, along with Peter Crouch and other pundits, recently spoke on TNT Sports about the biggest signings among Premier League clubs so far this summer.
Hargreaves gave Cherki a 9 out of 10 rating and said: “Cherki’s going to be a 9. He’ll be the surprise of the Premier League this season.”
Likewise, Crouch went with a 9 and said: “If you haven’t seen him play you’re in for a real treat, I think 9 out of 10.”
Finally, TNT Sports host Darren Fletcher said: “I’m going to give Cherki a 9. Hardly cost anything, super talented, Pep Guardiola’s going to love him.
“He’s in a team that’s going to create a lot, he’s going to be the chief creator.”
Meanwhile, Robbie Mustoe has likened Cherki to Bernardo Silva.
