Rayane Cherki shone for Manchester City against Sunderland on Saturday. The forward provided two assists, the last of which for Phil Foden was of incredible beauty. Manager Pep Guardiola hinted that he is not a fan of the rabona, a pass played behind the standing leg.
Manchester City’s 3-0 win over Sunderland on Sunday afternoon not only kept the champions firmly on track in their title defense, it also offered another showcase for one of their most exciting new creative forces.
Rayane Cherki, who has been gradually growing into his role under Pep Guardiola, delivered a sparkling performance capped by two assists and one moment of pure street football that had the Etihad crowd on its feet.
The French attacker was given freedom to drift between the lines, constantly popping up in the half spaces and forcing Sunderland’s defensive block to shift and react. From early on it was clear that City were trying to find him between the lines, trusting his close control and vision to unlock a deep lying opponent. Cherki responded with the kind of performance that coaches love and defenders hate, always demanding the ball and always looking to play forward.
After the match, speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Cherki made it clear that what is happening on the pitch is the result of hard work during the week. He said that he works hard for these moments and that he knows exactly where his strengths lie. His main quality, according to himself, is his technique, the ability to manipulate the ball in tight spaces, disguise passes and choose the right option under pressure. Playing alongside Phil Foden, Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush, he stressed that it is crucial for him to deliver precise service, to put the ball in the right zone at the right time for the finishers around him.
He certainly delivered against Sunderland. His first big contribution to the scoreline came when he picked up possession outside the box and spotted Ruben Dias in space. Rather than forcing the ball to the forwards, Cherki chose the intelligent pass, rolling it into the path of the defender. Dias did the rest, stepping onto the ball and thundering a shot from distance into the top corner. It was a goal that underlined how City’s attacking structure allows even their centre backs to step in and contribute when the timing is right.
The second assist, however, was the kind of action that players replay in their minds for years. With Sunderland stretched and chasing shadows, Cherki received the ball in a wide area. A more conservative option would have been to open up his body and deliver a straightforward cross with his stronger foot. Instead, he opted for pure flair. With a defender closing the angle, he shaped to cross normally, then wrapped his standing leg and whipped a rabona delivery toward the penalty spot. Phil Foden, reading the intention perfectly, attacked the ball and guided it off the underside of the bar and in, a finish that matched the audacity of the assist.
Moments like that are the sort of thing that excite fans, draw attention on social media and even interest from betting markets and specialist platforms that track performance and creativity in detail. It is no surprise that followers of asian bookies and other analytics focused observers are starting to take note of Cherki’s growing influence in the final third, especially in matches where City are expected to dominate the ball and the chances.
Yet, for all the admiration that such technical brilliance attracts, Guardiola’s reaction after the match was typically measured and rooted in his long held footballing principles. When asked about the stunning rabona assist, the City manager surprised some by saying that he had never seen Lionel Messi, the player he still regards as the greatest of all time, attempt such a pass. Messi, Guardiola pointed out, delivered world class performances and decisive passes using simple, efficient actions rather than showy techniques. For the coach, crosses and passes are good whether they are played with the left foot, the right foot or any part of the boot, as long as they are effective. The method, he implied, is secondary to the end product.
This is central to Guardiola’s philosophy. He explained that he prefers simplicity and that this is one of the main things he learned from working with Messi. In his view, Messi almost never makes a mistake in the simple aspects of the game. He receives the ball cleanly, chooses the correct option, and executes basic actions with complete precision. Only after those fundamentals are secured does he dribble past four or five players or decide matches with moments of genius. For Guardiola, that order of priorities is essential. First, master the simple passes, the positional discipline, the pressing triggers and the defensive effort. Then, on top of that foundation, the player can express his unique talent.
Guardiola’s comments can be seen as both praise and gentle warning for Cherki. On one hand, he clearly appreciates the quality of the assist. On the other, he wants to remind his player, and the rest of the squad, that City’s entire model of play is built on discipline and repetition of basic patterns. The Catalan coach emphasised that he wants his players to do the simple things well every single time. Only after that is consistently in place does he want to see them attempt special moves like rabonas, backheels or risky dribbles in congested areas.
The coach went even further, hinting that the key for Cherki will be his work off the ball and his commitment to the collective. If Cherki does not work hard, Guardiola warned, it will become a problem and he will run into difficulties. At City, talent alone is never enough. Every attacker is expected to press, track back, and respect the team’s positional demands. Guardiola has moved on from highly gifted players in the past when he felt that the balance between individual expression and tactical responsibility was not right, so his message carries real weight in the dressing room.
For Cherki, this match may turn out to be a reference point in his Manchester City career. It showed the public why the club invested in him and why his team mates trust him with the ball in key areas. It also made clear that his relationship with Guardiola will be shaped not only by magic moments, but by his willingness to adapt to the demands of one of the most demanding coaches in world football. If he can combine his creativity with constant intensity, discipline without the ball and respect for the team structure, he has the potential to become a central figure in City’s attacking plans over the coming seasons.
From a wider perspective, the performance fits into the broader story of the current premier league campaign. City continue to chase the title in a fiercely competitive environment, where every drop of quality matters and every small mistake can be punished. Having a player like Cherki, capable of breaking down low blocks and producing something unexpected against stubborn opponents, can prove decisive in tight matches. However, Guardiola will always insist that even the most spectacular talents must first serve the structure of the team.
For now, City supporters can enjoy the best of both worlds. They saw a comfortable 3-0 victory, another clean sheet and a performance that offered clear evidence that the next generation of creative players is ready to carry the torch. Cherki, with his blend of flair, vision and ambition, has put himself firmly in the spotlight. What happens next will depend on how well he can align his natural instinct for the extraordinary with the relentless demand for simplicity and effort that defines life under Pep Guardiola.
