In my 15 years of watching the chessboard of the Premier League, I’ve seen plenty of “false” positions, false nines, inverted full-backs, you name it. But what Pep Guardiola is currently doing with Rayan Cherki at Manchester City isn’t just a tactical tweak; it’s a masterclass in profile-matching. On the official team sheet, Cherki is often listed on the right flank, but anyone with a set of eyes and a bit of grass under their boots can see he’s about as much a traditional winger as I am a marathon runner.
Cherki lacks the raw, explosive pace that Doku, Semenyo or Savio use to burn grass, yet he is arguably the most dangerous man in England right now. He operates as a “wide playmaker,” a role that feels like a throwback to the classical No. 10s, just shifted fifteen yards to the right. While Phil Foden has matured into a disciplined, central anchor lately- sticking to his station to dictate the tempo, Cherki is given the “golden ticket” to roam. He drifts into those half-spaces where defenders hate to follow, turning the right channel into his own personal creative laboratory.
The numbers backing this up aren’t just good; they are frankly ridiculous. If you look at the “big five” leagues in Europe this season, Cherki is leading the pack with a goal or assist every 74 minutes (excluding penalties). In just over 1,300 minutes of football, he has racked up 18 goal involvements. It’s the kind of efficiency that makes even the most cynical journalist do a double-take. He isn’t just participating in the play; he is the play.
The data specialists at DataMB recently highlighted that the 22-year-old leads in a staggering 22 metrics among all Premier League midfielders. Whether it’s progressive carries, successful dribbles, or shot assists, Cherki is top of the pile. He has this uncanny ability to play a through ball that looks impossible, yet he makes it look like he’s just passing the salt at dinner. He leads the league in touches in the box and deep completions, proving that while he might not have the “afterburners” of a typical winger, his brain and feet move at a speed most defenders cannot process.
For the purists, watching him is a joy because he proves that technical brilliance still trumps raw athleticism. He doesn’t need to outrun you if he can outthink you. He is effectively pulling the strings of the most expensive orchestra in world football, and tomorrow’s Manchester Derby on January 17th feels like the perfect stage for his latest performance.
If United’s backline thinks they can show him the touchline and expect him to stay there, they are in for a long afternoon. Cherki doesn’t follow the script; he rewrites it as he goes. We are witnessing the evolution of a new playmaker in real-time, and in this Manchester City side, Rayan Cherki is the one holding the baton.
