Rayan Cherki’s rise at Manchester City has quickly turned into one of the most talked-about stories of the Premier League season, and with every passing week it feels more and more impossible to imagine Pep Guardiola’s team without him. What began as curiosity during the summer transfer window has now become certainty. Cherki is no longer just a talented new signing trying to find his place. He is becoming central to Manchester City’s identity, a player Guardiola now openly admits he can no longer do without.
When Manchester City decided to bring Cherki to England from Olympique Lyonnais, there was excitement, but also caution. English football has a long history of talented foreign attackers who struggled to adapt to the pace, physicality, and relentless pressure of the Premier League. Cherki arrived with a reputation as a gifted but sometimes inconsistent genius, a player capable of breathtaking moments but not always trusted with responsibility. What has happened since then has surprised even his biggest admirers.
From his very first appearances in a City shirt, Cherki looked different. There was a calmness to his game, a confidence that suggested he felt at home almost immediately. He did not look overwhelmed by the Etihad crowd, nor intimidated by the presence of global stars around him. Instead, he played as if he had been preparing for this moment his entire life. His close control, vision, and imagination stood out straight away, and it did not take long before supporters, pundits, and teammates began to notice that something special was happening.
Pep Guardiola certainly noticed. Known for his demanding nature and high standards, Guardiola does not give praise lightly, especially to young players. Yet since Cherki’s arrival, Guardiola’s words have been full of admiration. At a recent press conference, he once again spoke warmly about the Frenchman, offering insight into how highly he rates his potential. Guardiola said the sky is the limit for Cherki, adding that what the player becomes will depend on his own ambition and limitations. It was not empty praise. Coming from a coach who has worked with Lionel Messi, Kevin De Bruyne, and countless other world-class talents, such words carry enormous weight.
Cherki’s journey to this point has not been straightforward. At Lyon, he was seen as a prodigy from a very young age, someone destined for greatness. He made headlines as a teenager, becoming one of the youngest players to ever score in European competition. Yet his time in France was also marked by frustration. Managers changed, expectations grew, and critics questioned his consistency and work rate. Some wondered whether he would ever truly fulfil his promise.
The move to Manchester City has changed everything. In Guardiola’s system, Cherki has found clarity. He knows exactly what is expected of him, where he should be, and how he should play. That structure has not limited his creativity; instead, it has freed it. Cherki now plays with purpose, combining flair with discipline, imagination with intelligence. He presses, tracks back, and makes himself available constantly, showing Guardiola that he can be trusted.
Since arriving in England, Cherki has amazed not only Manchester City supporters but also football fans across the country. The Premier League audience, often sceptical of hype, has embraced him quickly. Every touch seems to carry danger, every movement hints at something unexpected. Defenders struggle to predict him, and teammates enjoy playing with someone who can unlock a defence in a single moment.
Statistics only tell part of the story, but even they are impressive. Cherki is currently on a run of five consecutive starts in all competitions, a clear sign of Guardiola’s growing trust. During that spell, he has contributed one goal and three assists, but those numbers do not fully capture his influence. His ability to control games, link midfield and attack, and create space for others has transformed City’s attacking play.
The timing of his form could not be better. Manchester City are once again locked in a fierce Premier League title race, where every match matters and every point counts. Injuries to key players have forced Guardiola to shuffle his lineup, and in that context, Cherki’s emergence has been vital. He has provided freshness, energy, and unpredictability at a time when City needed new solutions.
This Saturday’s match against Nottingham Forest could offer another stage for Cherki to shine. As City prepare for their 18th league game of the season, there is strong expectation that Cherki will once again be named in the starting eleven. For a player who arrived just months ago, that alone says everything about how quickly he has earned his place.
The idea that Guardiola can no longer do without Cherki would have sounded exaggerated in August. Now, it feels like an accurate reflection of reality. Guardiola’s teams are built around control, intelligence, and technical excellence, and Cherki fits that philosophy perfectly. He gives City something slightly different from their other attacking midfielders. Where some offer control and precision, Cherki offers imagination and surprise. He is capable of playing between the lines, drifting wide, or dropping deep, constantly forcing opponents to adjust.
What makes Cherki even more fascinating is his mentality. Despite his age and the pressure of playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world, he appears fearless. He demands the ball in tight spaces, attempts difficult passes, and never hides. That confidence has quickly made him popular in the dressing room, where experienced players appreciate his bravery and self-belief.
Guardiola has spoken before about the importance of hunger, of players who want to improve every single day. Everything about Cherki suggests he has that hunger. Training sessions at the City Football Academy have reportedly shown his dedication, with staff impressed by his focus and willingness to learn. Guardiola’s coaching staff, known for their attention to detail, are said to be completely under his spell.
There is also a wider significance to Cherki’s success. For French football, his rise in England is another reminder of the talent produced by the country’s academies. For young French players watching from home, Cherki’s journey offers inspiration. He is proof that setbacks and criticism do not define a career, and that the right environment can unlock potential that once seemed uncertain.
At Manchester City, expectations are always sky-high. Success is not measured in flashes of brilliance but in trophies and consistency. Cherki understands this, and his performances so far suggest he is ready for that challenge. He does not look like a player satisfied with being a promising talent. He looks like someone determined to become decisive.
The Nottingham Forest match may seem like just another league fixture, but for Cherki it represents another step in his transformation. Each start, each contribution, strengthens his case as an essential part of Guardiola’s plans. With every game, the idea of City without Cherki feels less realistic.
Supporters have already started to dream. They see echoes of past greats, glimpses of magic that remind them why they fell in love with football. They know that development is not always linear, that young players can dip and rise again, but they also sense that Cherki is on a special path.
Guardiola, for his part, remains measured but clearly excited. His comments about Cherki’s limitless potential were not just praise; they were a challenge. He knows that talent alone is not enough, and that the real test will be how Cherki handles success, pressure, and expectation. If he continues on this path, Guardiola believes there are no limits to what he can achieve.
As the Premier League season moves into a decisive phase, Manchester City will rely on every weapon at their disposal. Injuries, fatigue, and pressure will test the squad, but Cherki’s presence offers hope and creativity. He is becoming a player opponents fear, a player fans trust, and a player Guardiola depends on.
For Rayan Cherki, the move to Manchester City is already proving to be the defining chapter of his career so far. What happens next will depend on his choices, his discipline, and his desire to keep improving. But one thing now feels certain. At this moment in time, Pep Guardiola cannot imagine his Manchester City team without him, and English football is watching the birth of a new star who looks ready to shine for a very long time.
