Several players at Manchester City need to step up.
Erling Haaland is the only player to score more than once in the Premier League this season – which is not good enough considering Pep Guardiola can call upon talents such as Jeremy Doku, Savinho and Phil Foden.
Rayan Cherki is another who must improve – and Samir Nasri has now echoed that sentiment.
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Samir Nasri casts doubt over Rayan Cherki
The man who made 176 appearances for Manchester City has questioned whether the France international will be able to “establish” himself under Guardiola.
Nasri told CANAL+ SPORT: “Cherki is the big question mark (for France). We’ll have to see if he manages to establish himself at Manchester City first.”
Guardiola has only given his £30.5m signing from Lyon one Premier League start so far, which came in the 2-0 defeat against Tottenham, a game in which the Frenchman was withdrawn after just 54 minutes.
Cherki, who Omar Marmoush rates highly, has been struggling with a thigh injury since arriving in England as well, so it has been far from a seamless start to life at Manchester City for the 22-year-old.
Manchester City insiders think differently to Samir Nasri
You can understand why Nasri currently has some concerns over the France international after a slow start for the Citizens, but Etihad Stadium insiders are confident he will become a success.
TBR Football understand Manchester City gave Cherki the No.10 shirt because they deem the man from Lyon to be a generational talent – and also think he has the ability to emulate Riyad Mahrez.
Guardiola needs somebody to step up and get themselves on par with Haaland in terms of efficiency, as the Norway international cannot be expected to drag his teammates to victory on a weekly basis.
Cherki is unquestionably talented enough to do so, and having finally shaken off his thigh issues to claim a spot on the bench against Brentford last time out, now would be a good time for him to announce himself.