Manchester City have had a busier summer than most Premier League clubs.
Pep Guardiola was keen to add four to five new faces to his squad ahead of the current market opening, and the Manchester club has already hit that target, with their four new signings part of the squad that travelled to the FIFA Club World Cup.
Pepijn Lijnders and James French have also been added to Guardiola’s coaching staff, while Man City continue to bring in several youth talents.
All this seems to have rejuvenated the Manchester club after a tough 2024/25 campaign, and with the 2025/26 season looking promising, former City star Nedum Onuoha believes a member of the Premier League side could emerge as “one of the best attacking talents in European football”.
Nedum Onuoha working as a pundit at Huddersfield Town v Nottingham Forest.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
The sky is the limit for Rayan Cherki at Man City
Rayan Cherki made his Man City debut against Wydad AC at the Club World Cup on Wednesday, but it did not go to plan for the French star as the 21-year-old failed to impress.
Man City fans are not bothered by Cherki’s display as they know it is only his first game and better things will come from the former Lyon star, who Onuoha believes could become “one of the best attacking talents in European football” over the coming years.
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“That’s a tough one. I think you kind of want to see something from the new signings, and I thought today, Reijnders looked quite good, so maybe him,” Onuoha said on ESPN FC when asked who he thinks could shine for Man City at the Club World Cup.
Before saying: “No, I’ll change that. I’ll go for Cherki. I think if Rayan Cherki performs to his best, and you can see him improve, and I think we’ve got one of, we’re going to be seeing City have one of the best attacking talents in European football.
“And if he fits in with that side and links to all those players around him, you know, the sky’s the limit for him, so I’d say Rayan Cherki.”
Cherki has a lot of work to do if he is to reach these heights, as the Frenchman has now stepped up a level and will be competing with players such as Phil Foden for minutes in Guardiola’s team.
Rayan Cherki in action for Manchester City v Wydad AC at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Photo by Carl Recine – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
How Rayan Cherki compares to Phil Foden
Foden is regarded as one of the best players in the Premier League, and after a tough 24/25 campaign, Man City are already seeing a difference in the midfielder this summer.
Cherki will have to compete with the Englishman for a place in City’s team each week, as they both operate in similar areas, and would be considered among the flair players at the Manchester club.
Player Games Goals Assists Minutes
Rayan Cherki 45 12 20 3157
Phil Foden 46 11 7 2905
Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden’s 24/25 stats
Cherki is expected to have a key role at Man City throughout the upcoming season, and in an ideal world, Guardiola will have both stars in his team for the bigger games.
It remains to be seen how both will be used, but Man City fans will not have long to wait. As the Manchester club go deeper into the Club World Cup, Guardiola’s plans for the new season will become clearer.