Erling Haaland and Pep Guardiola have piled praise on Rayan Cherki, with the French midfielder starring for Manchester City as they beat Bournemouth in the Premier League.
Two more goals from Erling Haaland secured the win against Bournemouth on Sunday, with the Norwegian ending his brief ‘goal drought’ of one game.
Haaland was spectacular throughout, but he also had the help of his teammates, including Rayan Cherki, who definitely had his best game in a Manchester City shirt.
Erling Haaland of Manchester City celebrates
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
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Erling Haaland on Rayan Cherki
After assisting Haaland twice, Cherki’s performance earned plaudits from the striker.
“We all know his qualities, so it’s about trying to get the best out of everyone! Today he had two amazing assists to me, so hopefully many more,” Haaland told Sky Sports.
💙🫂 Haaland on Rayan Cherki’s two assists: “We all know his qualities so it's about trying to get the best out of everyone!”.
“Today he had two amazing assists to me, so hopefully many more”, told Sky. pic.twitter.com/3mYaWic9R5
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 2, 2025
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Cherki was signed from Lyon in the summer for a fee of around £30m, but injuries have delayed his impact.
The Bournemouth clash offered Manchester City fans their first real taste of the Cherki they had been expecting after splashing the cash on the 22-year-old.
Pep Guardiola lauds Rayan Cherki
His manager, Pep Guardiola, also spoke highly of him. In an interview with Sky Sports ahead of the Bournemouth fixture, Guardiola lauded his midfielder.
He said: “He’s a special player. This is a special place, and out of all the managers, we want to make it like a chess game. You have to do this, you have to do that.
“And he’s a little free soul – you have to understand that. So he’s a special player, and he’s so young, and hopefully he can be open and coachable to learn what the team needs from him, with and without the ball, and all the actions that we need. But of course, he gives you something up front that is unique.”
Two big endorsements from two massive figures at City. Cherki has a ridiculously high ceiling, and now he’s beginning to look like he’s about to unlock it.
Manchester City now face a Champions League clash against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, where Cherki will be looking to impress once more, this time on club football’s biggest stage.