Ahead of the 2025/2026 season, Manchester City fans will be rubbing their hands at the prospect of watching Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland play together.
Gary Lineker spotted Cherki and Haaland’s dangerous partnership during City’s 6-0 win against Al-Ain as the Frenchman capped off a brilliant move between the pair with an emphatic finish.
With Kevin De Bruyne signing for Napoli, the Norwegian international would have had every reason to be concerned about which player will form a similarly telepathic dynamic with him.
However, Cherki believes he could improve Haaland by creating chances at will for the star striker.
Rayan Cherki looking on ahead of Manchester City vs Wydad AC
Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images
Erling Haaland sends ‘get ready’ message to Rayan Cherki that should concern Liverpool and Arsenal
With Erling Haaland managing to score 22 Premier League goals in an injury-hit previous season, despite De Bruyne also missing several games through injury was proof that regardless of the service at hand, the 24-year-old guarantees goals.
Considering the former Lyon midfielder provided 20 assists in all competitions last season, the Leeds-born goalscorer could hit another gear alongside a truly world-class creator in the following campaign.
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Haaland seems to be aware of how incredible a talent Rayan Cherki is, commenting on his teammate’s post on Instagram by writing: “Looking sharp, get ready”, followed by an ‘eyes’ emoji and the latter replied with ‘hourglass and swords’ emojis to indicate the pair could wreak havoc next season.
For both Liverpool and Arsenal, both players’ seeming confidence in taking the Premier League by storm should be a concern as they could have a massive say in City’s hopes to win the title.
De Bruyne called Haaland a “machine” in terms of being a goalscorer and since his move to the Etihad Stadium, no player has outscored him — with 85 goals to his name in 97 appearances.
Considering Mohamed Salah registered three more assists (23) than Cherki (20) in 16 less starts last season, who was playing for a struggling Lyon side shows how outstanding a creator he is and alongside Haaland, his creative numbers could skyrocket even further.
STATS IN ALL COMPETITIONS MOHAMED SALAH RAYAN CHERKI
STARTS 50 34
ASSISTS 23 20
On the other hand, Arsenal’s highest goalscorer was Kai Havertz, with 15 goals in all competitions while Bukayo Saka was their best creator with 12 assists.
With Cherki willing to take responsibility at Manchester City and Haaland being a serial winner, if the pair click with each other, managers across the Premier League might be powerless in their attempts to tame the Sky Blues duo.
Why Erling Haaland always knew Cherki was the real deal
City fans will be hoping that the pair strike up a partnership that is reminiscent of Haaland’s dynamic with De Bruyne or David Silva’s with Sergio Aguero.
Erling Haaland smiling on the bench during Southampton vs Manchester City
Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images
Haaland seems to have always rated Cherki highly, judging by how he liked Fabrizio Romano’s post that revealed that Manchester City were closing in on the latter’s signature.
Liverpool and Arsenal will be hoping that Pep Guardiola’s potential dynamic duo underwhelm next season but judging by how they linked up against Al-Ain and Juventus, that seems unlikely.