Manchester City have now won six consecutive matches in all competitions following their 2-nil win over Brentford in the Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at the Etihad on Wednesday night. Across those six matches, a host of City players have begun to take their play up a gear. Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol have been superb at the back. As have Matheus Nunes and Nico O’Reilly. Nico, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden have been superb in midfield and Erling Haaland continues to bang in the goals. Rayan Cherki has also been superb and he has become a key player for his team.
Pep Guardiola spoke today about Rayan Cherki’s superb form and he added that he wants to continue to push Cherki as a player. Guardiola knows he has a special player on his hands in Cherki and the Manchester City manager is determined to see Cherki continue to take his game up a level.
Pep Guardiola is determined to push Rayan Cherki to a higher level.
Speaking during his pre-game press conference today ahead of his team’s Premier League fixture against West Ham, Pep Guardiola was asked about Cherki’s progress as a player. Guardiola said Cherki has the right mentality and that he is a force in the final third. But Pep Guardiola is determined to push Cherki to reach an even higher level. He explained: “*Really good! Especially for his age, the personality that he has. He’s a guy who plays like he was playing on the street.*”
“*But I want to push him! I will not give too much compliments. But I’m really satisfied, we’re really satisfied, because his impact in the final third, in goals and assists in every game, is quite impressive.*”
“*And we cannot forget he’s so young! He has the right mentality to be better, better, and better. But a few things have to improve.*”
No Premier League summer signing has more goal contributions across all competitions than Rayan Cherki (11) this season.
He’s only played 17 matches (9 starts) 🤯 pic.twitter.com/F8rPB28mWS
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 17, 2025
If Rayan Cherki continues his growth Manchester City will have a bona fide star on their hands.
Rayan Cherki’s statistics for this season tell the story of how impressive he has been, especially of late. In seventeen appearances in all competitions, Cherki has scored four goals and added seven assists. Those statistics are absurd for a player who missed a significant period of time due to injury at the beginning of this season. In his appearances for Manchester City, Cherki has shown exactly what he brings to Pep Guardiola’s side. His creativity and ability to dictate play have caught the eye. At times there are shades of David and Bernardo Silva in Cherki’s game. That is a scary proposition in itself. But there is another level or two for Cherki to go to as a player as Pep Guardiola said today.
It does seem that Rayan Cherki is a player who needs to be pushed by his manager. At times the game looks to be so easy for the French international. With his prodigious talent, Cherki can do things that no other player can. But Pep Guardiola is determined to push Cherki to even greater heights. That is a frightening proposition for Manchester City’s rivals to consider given how well Cherki is playing right now. Cherki’s performances against Sunderland, Real Madrid, Crystal Palace and Brentford have been brilliant. He has arguably been Manchester City’s best player across those matches. If he can take his game to another level with Pep Guardiola pushing him along anything is possible for Cherki which is an exciting notion to consider.
Summary.
Pep Guardiola has acknowledged how well Rayan Cherki has adapted to life at Manchester City and how well he has been playing. But Guardiola is determined to push Cherki to reach even greater heights. That shows that Cherki has become a pet project of sorts for Guardiola which also indicates how highly regarded the French international is by the Manchester City manager.