Manchester City have a dangerous attacking weapon that Enzo Maresca values extremely highly

Manchester City have a dangerous attacking weapon that Enzo Maresca values extremely highly Rayan Cherki made a match-winning impact off the bench last Sunday as Manchester City beat Bournemouth 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium. The French international came on in the 63rd minute as Enzo Maresca turned to the magical playmaker to add more quality and cutting edge to City’s attacking play. Cherki did exactly that as he set up both of Manchester City’s late goals as City began their 2026-27 Premier League campaign with a spirited comeback victory. In Cherki, Manchester City have a lethal attacking weapon who can break open a game at any time with a piece of magic. Speaking earlier today, Enzo Maresca has acknowledged this ahead of City’s trip to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace. Enzo Maresca knows that Rayan Cherki offers an attacking threat that no other Manchester City player does. Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca faced the media earlier today for his pre-game press conference ahead of Manchester City’s Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. City will be looking to back up their stirring opening weekend win by picking up another three points at Selhurst Park. The City manager was asked about Rayan Cherki and his potential role in Maresca’s squad for this season. Enzo Maresca praised Cherki’s impact off the bench against Bournemouth and he also acknowledges that Cherki offers an attacking threat that no other City player does. He explained: “ Rayan made an impact the other day [vs Bouremouth]. For sure, he’s one of the players in terms of quality; he’s a different player compared to the rest because he can give us, in some moments when we struggle but especially in the last third; it’s what we need. ” “ It also depends on the game-plan. how the opponents play. Again, no doubt that he’s going to help now and in the future. Even Rayan is very young, he’s 22 or 23, so he’s going to help us and I’m very happy with the way he’s working. ” Rayan Cherki can produce game-breaking moments out of nowhere and the sooner he is a constant starter the better. Rayan Cherki is a rare player who can produce moments of magic out of nowhere. Cherki is arguably the most technically gifted player in the Manchester City squad and likely in world football. He also has elite vision to spot an opening that no other player can see. These traits stood out as he set up Josko Gvardiol’s 91st minute winner last weekend. Cherki held off two Bournemouth defenders and spotted Gvardiol in a great position just inside the Bournemouth area. The French international played a superb through ball to Gvardiol, who used his superb footwork to work the shooting opportunity that he dispatched with his right foot. Rayan Cherki’s innate ability to see what other players cannot and his ability to produce the right pass created Manchester City’s winner last week. Enzo Maresca acknowledged this and he also spoke on Cherki’s ability to offer an attacking threat that none of his teammates can. That will be a key attribute for Manchester City throughout the 2026-27 season. You also sense that Cherki will firmly establish himself as a starter for Enzo Maresca’s side sooner rather than later. This feels like a move that must be made for Manchester City to prosper. Enzo Maresca praised Rayan Cherki’s game-breaking performance against Bournemouth and also shared how happy he is with the French international. Looking further ahead, it does seem like it is a matter of time before Cherki firmly establishes himself as a regular starter for Manchester City. Perhaps that process will begin tomorrow night against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.