Manchester City could be sitting on an even more explosive version of Rayan Cherki

Manchester City could be sitting on an even more explosive version of Rayan Cherki Rayan Cherki has scored seven goals and provided three assists in 16 appearances in all competitions for Manchester City so far this season. In terms of which player is City’s chief creator, it is Cherki. The goals Cherki is contributing are superb for an attacking midfielder. However, Cherki’s assist numbers are down for such a creative player. At times this season, Cherki has been a frustrating figure when he drops too deep to receive possession and gives it away cheaply in midfield. To mitigate this, Enzo Maresca needs to play Cherki higher up the pitch and give him space to operate within the team set up. Manchester City need to get Rayan Cherki on the ball more often in the final third to do what he does best. Rayan Cherki is a player who does his best work in the final third. This has been seen throughout his time at Manchester City and Lyon. Enzo Maresca needs to find a way to get Cherki on the ball in dangerous positions. You can see the fear that Cherki instills in City’s opponents. But due to the system that City are using, and how teams defend against City, Cherki is often coming into midfield to receive possession. Cherki can do this job, but it isn’t his strong suit. Rayan Cherki receiving possession in midfield can be a risk for Manchester City. Cherki can be dispossessed far too easily which exposes City’s defence. Also, Cherki will try and pick out an impossible pass at times which can lead to his team losing possession. A solution to this issue is to start Cherki further up the pitch behind Erling Haaland. Cherki may not get on the ball as often as he likes in this role, but it does get him into dangerous areas where he can do his best work. Also, Manchester City want to see Cherki combining with Jeremy Doku and Iliman Ndiaye in the final third. Or City’s attacking full-backs. Rather than Cherki receiving the ball in midfield and slowing the game down by passing backwards or sideways. The challenge for Enzo Maresca is to get Cherki into these positions more often. It may take a slight tactical tweak for this to occur. Rayan Cherki will do even more damage in the final third for his team if there is a stronger look to Enzo Maresca’s side. A challenge for Rayan Cherki is to improve his decision-making. At times, he is loose with possession or tries to do too much. As good as Cherki can be, he can be as equally frustrating. That side of Cherki’s game should improve as he matures. The French international is only 23-years-of-age which can be forgotten. He is also one of the most talented players in world football. Rayan Cherki often sees things and can produce magic that no other player can. Enzo Maresca needs to modify his system so it brings out the best in his players and also covers their weaknesses. Playing Cherki higher up the pitch and getting him to stay in that position rather than drift should further enhance his strengths. To do this, the City midfield and system need to be tinkered with. Enzo Maresca needs to fortify his team’s midfield. That looks to be the solution to a host of Manchester City’s issues at the back and out of possession. It will also free up Cherki to do what he does best. Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernandez can be box-crashers so Cherki having the space to pick them out should greatly aid Enzo Maresca’s side. Rayan Cherki has had spectacular moments this season but has also been frustrating on other occasions. That is the type of player that Cherki is at times. Manchester City could be infinitely more dangerous if Cherki spends more time getting the ball in the final third. Enzo Maresca has to find a way to do this and it may also take Cherki curbing his instinct to drift into midfield to get on the ball.