PARIS (AP) — If the game is close for France; world cup And defense is especially difficult. star-studded attack To break through that, Rayan Cherki is a dream player.
The 22-year-old had a brilliant first season at Manchester City, lighting up the Premier League with his unorthodox skills and incredible passing. He was second in the Premier League with 12 assists behind Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, who is well-established.
One of Cherki’s assists saw him dribble across the penalty area with his right foot. before making a blind pass — without looking in the direction the player is passing — left foot to Marc Gehi. City coach Josep Guardiola, who coached the all-time great Lionel Messi at Barcelona, then spoke of his disbelief at the creativity shown, as he did not consider the pass to be an option.
In another match, Cherki assisted Phil Foden’s goal. A bold rabona pass, Where a player’s kicking leg crosses behind the standing leg.
Cherki is more of a passer, but he scores Goals make him stand out. Amazingly precise control. Take for example his fantastic goal on his City debut against Wolverhampton. So he started making moves with some outrageous back heel flicks.
He can also attach the ball to his feet and run directly towards players at breakneck speeds, an attribute that is on the same record as him. Messi, eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. His goal in his debut for France in June last year was a stunning volley against Spain in the Nations League.
“There’s something special about Rayanne.” guardiola Said. “He’s going to be an exceptional player with his mindset and mentality.”
french options
Cherki’s versatility gives France coach Didier Deschamps a wide range of options. He can play as an attacking midfielder or right winger, as he did at City, or as a playmaker just behind the center forward.
In the 3-1 win over Colombia in March, he was behind Markus Thuram and was involved in two goals, and in the match against Ukraine last November, he was behind Kylian Mbappe.
When Cherki was called up to the France squad for the first time last May, he called it “the beginning of a beautiful adventure”. Cherki has the world of football at his feet, and that could lead him to greatness.
Like Messi, his best magic comes from his left side, but it’s difficult to determine which is his stronger foot.
In an interview with France Football magazine in March, Cherki was asked to name City’s most technical player.
Without hesitation, he answered, “It’s me.”
Cherki also described himself as “one of the most unpredictable players on the planet.”
Perfect if France need him to break through their strong defence.
Another Lyon gem
Cherki comes from Lyon’s prestigious youth academy, which has produced 2022 Ballon d’Or winners. karim benzema and the wonderfully skilled Hatem Ben Arfa.
Cherki’s incredible talent shined through when he made his Ligue 1 debut in October 2019 aged just 16 and scored his first first-team goal in a French Cup game a few weeks later. He scored two clinical goals, set up his team-mates with great passes from midfield, won a penalty that was missed by a team-mate, and also provided an assist. Oh, and he also hit a bold lob against the crossbar.
It was a mesmerizing performance considering his age, and he attracted the attention of Europe’s big clubs.
His final season at Lyon ended with a league-high 11 assists. City got him He was acquired last summer for 36 million euros ($41 million) and is likely benefiting Lyon. dire financial situation Now the only transfer condition in football is to buy him for what looks like a bargain price.
Guardiola must have already known what he was getting, as Cherki scored against City in a Champions League youth game just after turning 15, making him the youngest scorer in the competition.
the future of france
Cherki’s excellent sense of balance is a gift he shares with Messi and the late Diego Maradona, and he honed his rare talent in the back streets of a shanty town on the outskirts of Buenos Aires. Cherki developed his technique at an early age on the streets of Lyon in central-eastern France. After one season with suburban club Saint-Priest, he joined Lyon’s youth team at the age of seven.
He is not expected to start for France at the World Cup, which is understandable given the circumstances. Brilliant talent in attack.
Les Bleus will join Bayern Munich star Michael Oliseh, Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele and the prolific Mbappé. achieved a hat trick Scored the winning goal in the 2022 World Cup final, losing to Argentina 2018 World Cup Final Victory Over Croatia.
Deschamps stepped down after the World Cup and Zinedine Zidane is widely touted as his successor. Zinedine Zidane was the driving force behind France’s victories at the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, and like Mbappe, he also scored in two World Cup finals.
Zidane himself is a very talented midfielder and could potentially build his team around Cherki for years to come.
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