Manchester City’s new signings impressed on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
James Trafford looked assured in the Man City goal, Rayan Ait-Nouri proved he is exactly what Pep Guardiola’s team were missing last season on the left, while Tijjani Reijnders stole the show at Molineux with a goal and an assist on his debut.
Although he didn’t start the contest in the Midlands, Rayan Cherki also made an impression as the French star came off the bench to score Man City’s fourth on the day, while also treating the fans to some tricks and flicks.
Rio Ferdinand has now been commenting on the midfielder’s debut, with the pundit suggesting that the 22-year-old could end up like Jack Grealish at Man City.
Rio Ferdinand thinks Rayan Cherki could follow in the footsteps of Jack Grealish
Joe Cole thinks Cherki will be the breakout star in the Premier League this season, as many pundits seem to be fascinated by the talent the 22-year-old possesses.
The French star is set to have a big impact on Man City’s season, but a worry Ferdinand has about the midfielder is whether he is disciplined enough to play in Guardiola’s system, as the pundit thinks the former Lyon star will have his freedom taken away, similar to what happened to Grealish.
“Unless you’re Messi, you don’t cheat in his [Pep Guardiola’s] team. As simple as that. It’s been proven. When he went to Bayern, there were no cheaters, and they got world-class players all over the gaff,” Ferdinand said on Rio Ferdinand Presents.
“Barcelona had world-class players. The only one he allowed to half-step and take a little breather was Messi, because he knew what he was about. He’s one of the best, if not the best, players of all time.
“Cherki, I don’t think you look at it like that. I think you look at it like, well, what did he get out of someone like Mahrez, who was a mercurial talent, a crazy talent?
“Can he get anything like the output that he was producing, and is he going to be disciplined enough? That’s the big question for me. Will he be disciplined enough to play in a position where it’s more beneficial for the team than the individual himself?
“That’s what Jack Grealish ended up doing, but he’s been vilified for that in this country.”
- READ MORE: Man City fans react to Jack Grealish’s Everton debut in 1-0 loss vs Leeds United, just 15 touches
Wolves clash already proved that Rayan Cherki will be given freedom
Many had this concern about Cherki, but the match against Wolves on Saturday proved that Guardiola will not put a lot of restrictions on the £34m French star.
The 22-year-old popped up in several areas of the pitch where he combined with his teammates, and his goal highlighted just how skilful the midfielder is, as he did a little stepover before shooting low and hard into the Wolves net.
Oscar Bobb was impressed with Cherki’s debut, and the Norwegian was not the only one, as there were no signs that Guardiola was holding the player back.
Every individual case is different, and although things did not work out for a skilful player like Grealish at Man City, it does not mean the same will happen to Cherki.
