Manchester City went into the halftime break in their match with Tottenham needing to overturn a 2-0 lead.
Paul Merson was one of many to predict Man City to beat Spurs after the Manchester club’s impressive 4-0 victory over Wolves on the opening weekend of the season; however, things proved more difficult than expected for Pep Guardiola’s men.
Brennan Johnson and Joao Palhinha netted late in the first half after some poor defending from the home side, and the North London club’s lead was more than deserved as they were the better of the two teams throughout the opening 45 minutes.
Many of Man City’s stars struggled, but one new signing looked particularly lost, as he kept looking over to Guardiola for guidance.
Rayan Cherki looking frustrated during Manchester City v Tottenham.
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Rayan Cherki was spotted looking lost vs Tottenham
Rayan Cherki’s Man City career got off to the perfect start on the opening weekend of the Premier League season as the French talent came off the bench to get on the scoresheet against Wolves.
Guardiola was happy with Cherki’s cameo at Molineux, and the legendary coach opted to start the midfielder in his preferred 10 role against Tottenham on Saturday, but the 22-year-old could not deal with Spurs’ man-to-man marking.
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The £34m French midfielder struggled throughout the opening 45 minutes, and TNT Sports commentator Darren Fletcher spotted the new Man City signing looking for guidance from his manager.
“Rayan Cherki keeps looking at Pep Guardiola,” Fletcher said on TNT Sports during a break in play during the first half. “He’s looking for guidance.”
Ally McCoist would add to this, stating: “It’s not for the want of trying; he’s been looking for pockets of space.”
It didn’t take long for Guardiola to realise that it was not going to be Cherki’s day, as the Man City boss took the midfielder off early in the second half.
Rayan Cherki’s first half in numbers
Cherki did not pass the eye test against Tottenham, and unfortunately for the 22-year-old, the numbers did not look great for the former Lyon star at halftime.
During the opening 45 minutes, Cherki had no goals or assists, 0 shots on target, he created only one chance, had 38 touches, two touches in the opposition box, completed just 1/3 successful dribbles, 1/2 accurate crosses, and 1/3 accurate long balls, and was dispossessed twice.
It was a tough day at the office for the new City signing, and the signs are a bit of a concern as Cherki continues his transition from Ligue 1 to Premier League football.
However, Cherki’s performance will not worry fans of the Manchester club, as they know how talented the French star is.