Pep Guardiola has a decision to make after bringing Rayan Cherki to Manchester City this summer.
The France international arrived in a £30.5m move from Lyon back in June, with many expecting him to start after scoring 13 goals and providing 21 assists in 48 appearances last season.
Having said that, the attacking department is already quite populated – Pep Guardiola can call upon Omar Marmoush, Jeremy Doku, Savinho, Phil Foden and Erling Haaland for all of the positions the Frenchman can operate in.
There is – however – one clear piece of feedback Rayan Cherki can focus on to earn himself regular starts at Manchester City.
What Pep Guardiola said to Savinho should make Rayan Cherki sit up and take notice
In recent training footage released by Manchester City, Guardiola could be heard shouting “face the goal” at Savinho – eager for the Brazilian to be more direct in his approach.
There were times during the FIFA Club World Cup where Cherki annoyed Guardiola with needless flicks which squandered possession of the ball, so the 21-year-old would be wise to listen to the feedback Savinho received, and take it on board himself.
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The Lyon-born attacker is undoubtedly talented enough to be more of a goal threat during games, a fact he seems to be all too aware of as he often comes deep to dazzle defenders.
Guardiola likes his attackers to be direct, as Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane often were at the Etihad Stadium – getting on the end of crosses while driving into the box themselves – so Cherki should look to position himself closer to goal after what was said to Savinho.
Liverpool wanted Rayan Cherki
The Manchester City No.29 is unquestionably good enough to push the Citizens back up to the top of the Premier League, if he can iron out the creases in his game.
Liverpool even wanted to sign Cherki this summer – which speaks volumes when you consider the reigning Premier League champions have since splashed out £116m on Florian Wirtz for that position.
It suggests leading clubs in Europe know the Frenchman can do special things which win titles, so he must prioritise efficiency over showboating in Manchester.