Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite and Manchester City star Rayan Cherki
Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite and Manchester City star Rayan Cherki
The Frenchman has been a revelation since joining the Sky Blues in June 2025.
Cherki has managed 18 goals and 19 assists in 72 matches since his move to the English game from Lyon.
Meanwhile, Branthwaite has faced a tough recovery from injury since Cherki joined the Premier League.
The 24-year-old defender has stayed fit so far this season, making nine appearances in the top-flight, and only missing the loss to Arsenal.
He has now named the winger as the player that he loves to come up against.
What did Everton ace Jarrad Branthwaite say about Rayan Cherki?
Branthwaite was asked to name his favourite opposition player and he said Cherki.
Speaking via the Premier League's official X page in a quick-fire questions segment, he said: βBeing on the same pitch as him, seeing what he can do, probably Rayan Cherki.
"Proper freestyle-type footballer.β
π Best player to play against?
πΊ Greatest celebration?
π΅ @Everton's GOAT?
Jarrad Branthwaite takes on quickfire questions π pic.twitter.com/KjiWzLO3zy
β Premier League (@premierleague) November 11, 2026
Asked how to deal with him: βStay away from him, joking, get someone else, yeah.β
How has Branthwaite previously fared against the 18-time France international, given his admiration for the 23-year-old star?
How has Branthwaite previously fared against Cherki?
The pair have only faced off once in competitive action, and it was for their respective nations at youth level, in a friendly game.
Cherki was on the winning team as France's Under-21 side beat England Under-21's 5-3 in March 2025.
It is no wonder that Branthwaite rates the Citizens ace, as he notched one strike and two assists in that contest, as Liverpool ace Hugo Ekitike scored a hat-trick.
The torment was finally ended when Thierno Barry came off the bench to replace Cherki.
The Toffees star missed both matches against Pep Guardiola's side last season due to his persistent injury issues.
He will hopefully get the chance to test himself against Enzo Maresca's team when the sides meet on 29 December on Merseyside.
The reverse fixture is provisionally on 3 March 2027 at the Etihad Stadium, but it may be moved for television coverage, when Sky Sports and TNT Sports make their picks.
If Branthwaite can stay fit, he will finally get to face off against his favourite player once again, and can hopefully be on the winning side twice.
Ideally, he does not run away and leave him to someone else in the backline as he joked in the video, and instead challenges him head on.