Joe Hart has likened Rayan Cherki to Manchester City great David Silva after the Frenchman's goal in the chaotic 5-3 win over Sunderland, describing the playmaker as an 'absolute genius'.
Rayan Cherki scored a clever goal to make it 2-1 to Manchester City against Sunderland.
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City's 5-3 victory over Sunderland was many things - dramatic, careless at the back and thoroughly entertaining - but amid the mayhem of an eight-goal thriller, Cherki delivered a moment of genuine quality.
The France international restored City's lead on the half-hour mark, staying ice-cool in a crowded penalty area to steer home a composed low finish.
The goal drew admiring words from the watching pundits, and one in particular could scarcely contain his enthusiasm for the playmaker.
Hart likens Cherki to David Silva
Analysing Cherki's goal on BBC's Match of the Day, former City goalkeeper Joe Hart used a very flattering comparison, name-checking one of the finest players in the club's history.
“He's such a genius, such a clever player!” Hart said. “The only person I can think of when it comes to this and couldn't understand was David [Silva]; everything just seemed to slow down! He wasn't strong, wasn't explosive, but when these moments came, he seemed to be able to just manipulate players around him.”
Manchester City playmaker Rayan Cherki admitted that he needs to do much more in the final third after getting on the scoresheet in Sunday's 5-3 win over Sunderland.cityxtra.co.ukCherki Makes Honest Goalscoring Admission After Man City Win Over Sunderland
Manchester City playmaker Rayan Cherki admitted that he needs to do much more in the final third after getting on the scoresheet in Sunday's 5-3 win over Sunderland.
It is about as high as praise gets at the Etihad Stadium. As a four-time Premier League winner - including twice during Hart's own time at the club - ‘El Mago’ is remembered by supporters as one of the most gifted footballers ever to represent City, famed for his knack of slowing the game down and gliding through tight spaces.
For a man who shared a dressing room with the Spaniard for years to use the comparison so readily is a good indicator of the impression Cherki has made.
“It's an absolute genius move in amongst all the chaos, he stays calm, so intelligent, sets it up, a brilliant goal!” Hart added. “This guy is an absolute artist and I love watching him!”
Cherki's growing influence at Manchester City
The strike was another glimpse of what Cherki has brought to Enzo Maresca's side since his 2025 move from Lyon. A maverick player with unrivalled creativity, Cherki has increasingly become the player City look to for a spark of invention - whether from the start or off the bench, where he has already made a habit of turning matches.
His display against Sunderland helped City to a fifth successive league win and left them three points clear at the top of the table after Arsenal's shocking collapse at Brighton.
It continued a productive start to the season from Cherki, who had already chipped in with goals and assists across City's opening fixtures - including decisive contributions against Bournemouth and Crystal Palace.
City now head into the international break in fearsome form, and in Cherki they appear to have a real match-winner still some way off of his full potential.
Should he keep conjuring the kind of form that has Hart gushing with praise, it’s not a stretch to say that Cherki could indeed prove the closest thing to Silva that the Etihad has seen since the man himself.