Manchester City recorded their second victory at the Club World Cup – and Paul Dickov was left mesmerised by one star at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Manchester City ran out 6-0 winners against the UAE outfit, and the performance was a potential glimpse into the future.
City, of course, will be facing much tougher opposition in the Premier League.
But it was an exciting display nonetheless, and there will surely be many feeling extremely optimistic about the 2025/26 campaign.
City were ruthless against Al Ain, with Pep Guardiola fielding a completely fresh XI. City went in 3-0 up at half-time thanks to goals from Ilkay Gundogan, Claudio Echeverri and Erling Haaland. Guardiola praised Echeverri after the game, in which he scored a stunning free-kick.
Gundogan added a second in the second half, with Oscar Bobb and Rayan Cherki also on target.
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Cherki had a fairly lukewarm Man City debut the other night against Wydad AC, but he really turned on the style last night against Al Ain – and Paul Dickov was full of praise for the Frenchman.
‘Magic’ Rayan Cherki praised as Man City wallop Al Ain
Rayan Cherki points in a Manchester City shirt.
Photo by Michael Regan – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Cherki is a player fans are extremely excited about.
The star lit up Ligue 1 last term and is all set for a really bright future in the game.
He is the kind of maverick player who gets people out of their chairs, and the technical ability and trickery are going to be so fun to watch.
Cherki will need time to adapt, but against Al Ain last night, he certainly showed what he’s all about – and City legend Paul Dickov loved what he saw.
Speaking on City’s YouTube channel after the game, he said: “I think that’s one of the reasons players like Cherki were brought in.
“When they’re going to play in the Premier League against tight blocks, he’s unpredictable in what he’s going to do. He can, in a flash, he’s got a little bit of skill that’s going to open up these defences, which at times in the last couple of years we’ve struggled to do, he’s got that little bit of gold dust, that little bit of magic.
“For him to come in and connect with his teammates so early and do it already, going forward, it’s super exciting.”
Rayan Cherki stats vs Al Ain
Pep Guardiola smiling ahead of Manchester City v Wydad.
Photo by Carl Recine – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Cherki only featured for just under 20 minutes against Al Ain, as Guardiola rang the changes.
The former Lyon man made the most of his time on the pitch though, completing 18/20 (90%) passes, and having 27 touches.
Cherki also won 4/5 duels (80%), and completed both of the dribbles he attempted.
And of course, Cherki capped his cameo with a goal, which was well taken.
Rayan Cherki vs Al Ain
Minutes played – 16
Goals – 1
Assists – 0
Pass completed – 18/20 (90%)
Duels won – 4/5 (80%)
via Sofascore
Cherki showed superb intelligence to let a ball from Gundogan pass through his legs to reach Haaland. Haaland laid the ball off to Cherki, who had spun away from his man, and Cherki found the bottom corner with a lovely finish on his right foot.
Cherki – who Gael Clichy thinks could be a huge tactical weapon – will find the Premier League to be a huge step up, but the early signs of him in a City shirt are certainly very encouraging.