Enzo Maresca offered high praise for Rayan Cherki ahead of Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League meeting with Paris Saint-Germain, emphasising the Frenchman’s growing importance to the squad.
Rayan Cherki is in line to start for Man City against PSG on Wednesday night.More Videos
Since his arrival from Lyon in 2025, the attacking midfielder has demonstrated noticeable development in both his individual performances and his ability to elevate those around him.
Excluding Manchester City’s Community Shield defeat to Arsenal at the beginning of the season, Cherki has scored five goals and produced two assists in eight appearances - most recently scoring in his side’s 3-0 win over Liverpool on Sunday.
Cherki, who is expected to start against Paris Saint-Germain in a captivating fixture at the Etihad Stadium, has faced the Ligue 1 champions more than any other team in his entire career.
Cherki is a good person and player, says appreciative Maresca before huge PSG battle
Despite Lyon winning just once in his 11 appearances against PSG, Cherki has consistently made an impact against the French giants, tallying one goal and four assists, and Maresca will hope to see similar contributions at the Etihad Stadiumthis week.
Speaking to the media ahead of Wednesday’s much-anticipated UEFA Champions League clash, the 46-year-old said: “Rayan is a very good person. That is very important, and after that, he's a very good player.
On Cherki's ability, the Manchester City manager added: “He is very good with the ball, we know that, but in this moment he is working very good so that is important for him and me.”
Maresca was also cheekily asked whether Cherki will start against PSG and how the playmaker could be utilised against the back-to-back European champions. In a laughing manner, the Manchester City manager said: "Right now, I don't know but at the moment, we are very happy with him!"
Huge test could take Maresca’s start and Man City’s season to the next level
It has been quite the start to life for Maresca, who has far exceeded the expectations that many supporters shared following the dreaded departure of former manager Pep Guardiola.
After experiencing the highs of 20 major honours and 10 unforgettable years under the Catalan’s guidance, it was hard to imagine life at City beyond Guardiola, but Maresca has flipped the doubts and taken City to the next level.
By no means does the Italian’s tenure so far amount to anything that Guardiola achieved at the Etihad Stadium, but beating the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool is certainly a good start.
The threat of PSG, Luis Enrique, Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha, amongst others, is undeniably prominent, but if Manchester City can walk away with three points on Wednesday, there surely won’t be any doubters left.