Manchester City 'genius' told he's found what he really needs despite warning

Former Lyon coach Laurent Blanc and France captain Kylian Mbappe have both piled praise on Rayan Cherki, who is now finding his feet at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola

Rayan Cherki is a “genius” who has to be “given freedom” to win matches, according to former France coach Laurent Blanc. In the build-up to Thursday’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine, Kylian Mbappe called the Manchester City playmaker “a special talent” - and hoped he could bring his club form to the international stage.

The £30m summer signing scored on his France debut in June and in his first Premier League game in August. Last month Pep Guardiola claimed Cherki, 22, was "one of the most talented players" he had ever seen.

And Manchester City team-mate Jérémy Doku claimed: "Rayan is a bit of a street player, he's not afraid of anything,"

His former Lyon coach Laurent Blanc, who worked with Cherki in the 2022-2023 season, said: “I don't know where it comes from, whether it's street talent or innate talent, but he's brimming with it. I can assure you that there aren't many players like him. He's a rare gem. In the media world, you call him a rising star.

“He has no technical limitations. His limitations will be more tactical and physical. Physically, I had the pleasure of seeing him again recently; he's changed, and for the better. He's among the best, the very best. If he adapts tactically, he'll have a huge advantage.

"His talent and genius make him a rare player. He just needs to find a coach who trusts him. And I think he has.”

Cherki faces a big season as part of Manchester City’s pursuit of the Premier League and Champions League followed by the World Cup next summer. But former Manchester United defender Blanc claimed that the France star can handle the expectation.

“Because of his talent and his natural ability, he doesn't put pressure on himself,” Blanc told L’Equipe. “His love of the game keeps him free from any kind of pressure. But for him, things are about to get serious. We're going to be more and more demanding. He has enough talent to rise to the challenge.”

Blanc revealed that Cherki “prioritised his own enjoyment” earlier in his career and admitted: “That style of play, even if it brought him pleasure, could lead to defeat. When I had to coach him, he wasn't yet reliable, not consistent. What I've observed over these last two years is this continuity, this consistency, this reliability.”

And Blanc, a World Cup winner at France 98, insisted: “I understand it's difficult for coaches to play him, given the pressure to get results. But yes, he has to be played. And yes, he has to be given freedom. Because I'm convinced that with Rayan, you'll always have a better chance of winning than losing.

"You have to be patient, and in this business, we're not. But I remember, with my staff, compiling precise statistical data on Rayan. And I can assure you that the data showed that, one way or another, he was involved in the chances.

"At the beginning, in the middle, or at the end: he was there. Look at what he did against Spain, for example (He scored on his debut in June in a 5-4 defeat). It's exceptional. His standard, in a way, must be that. With Rayan, you have to aim high, very high.”

Asked about Cherki, France captain Mbappe said: “He's a special talent. For me, he has a gift that he's developing.

"It's an innate and very spectacular talent. He's integrated very well into the group, just like at Manchester City, where he created a special connection with his teammates and his No.9. He started well with us in June, he has the opportunity to come back, and I hope he'll be as good as he was at Manchester City.”