Rayan Cherki | City agree deal for €35m + €6m add-ons (Romano) | Deal completed

[Uncle Mainoo]

I'm sorry but Cherki seems to have more talent in his less talented foot than Memphis ever had in his right foot.

This is what I mean. We are always ready to glaze over the next hyped prospect. Memphis played for Manchester United, Lyon, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.. I mean there not quite elite clubs are they.

Then let’s not even talk about the stats, but because it doesn’t fit the narrative and we have to look at Cherki like he’s Zidane.. I’m the crazy one.

Let’s see how he gets on in Pep’s City system. It’s not like these moves ever go wrong

 

[Uncle Mainoo]

There is no way that Depay had as much talent as Cherki, that is very daft. However Memphis was pretty awesome at Lyon, there was a time where only Neymar and Mbappe were better forwards than him in Ligue 1.

Explain talent? What can Cherki do that Memphis wasn’t cable of?

 

[Kostov]

Spending 60m pounds on Mbeumo when City are buying this guy for less, seems like another braindead decision.

 

[FrankDrebin]

Spending 60m pounds on Mbeumo when City are buying this guy for less, seems like another braindead decision.

Cherki wants to come here then ?

 

[Big Ron’s Coat]

Explain talent? What can Cherki do that Memphis wasn’t cable of?

There are times to double down, times to hold and times to fold.

This is the latter.

 

[Mailo]

I think we will look at this signing in envy years down the line.

 

[Crimson King]

I think we will look at this signing in envy years down the line.

I really won't care

 

[Woodzy]

Caf: We have to do everything to sign Mbuemo
Also Caf: Can't believe we are choosing to sign Mbuemo over someone else

 

[eire-red]

Spending 60m pounds on Mbeumo when City are buying this guy for less, seems like another braindead decision.

I don't think Cherki has the physical attributes for a 10 in Amorim's system. There is a huge physical demand on those wide 10's both going forward and back.

Mbuemo and Cunha fit the bill from that perspective. Cherki probably more talented, but he's not what we need anyway in terms of PL proven and bringing the required pace and intensity into the squad.

 

[Kostov]

Cherki wants to come here then ?

Same was asked about Mbeumo 10 days ago, seems we prioritized PL proven, which is pretty short sighted imo.

 

[Kostov]

I don't think Cherki has the physical attributes for a 10 in Amorim's system. There is a huge physical demand on those wide 10's both going forward and back.

Mbuemo and Cunha fit the bill from that perspective. Cherki probably more talented, but he's not what we need anyway in terms of PL proven and bringing the required pace and intensity into the squad.

I don’t think we should plan around Amorim’s system, i have zero belief that he will come good. If Amorim’s system is required two new number 10s that cost 60m pounds each while we have and still keep Bruno, we won’t get anywhere.

 

[Galactic]

I’m not really sure how many thought he would want to come to us. Did he say it himself?

 

[eire-red]

I don’t think we should plan around Amorim’s system, i have zero belief that he will come good. If Amorim’s system is required two new number 10s that cost 60m pounds each while we have and still keep Bruno, we won’t get anywhere.

Fair enough if you think that, but it's also true that Cunha and Mburmo could fit into traditional 433 / 4231 also, so it's not like we're screwed with two guys that can only play one system.

Fact is, forget the system for a second. We're signing guys that will add probably 30 goals into our team, and that's regardless of whether we sign a striker or not. PL proven, just about to enter their peaks too. They are brilliant and logical signings on paper. Right age, profile, qualities we're lacking, such as pace, power, goals, creativity, ball carrying ability.

I can't believe people are still complaining. Maybe Cherki will be better. But I could easily see him becoming Sancho too. Cunha and Mbuemo to me are excellent signings. If we sign a striker that can score 20 goals, that's like a 50 goals added into a team that's only scoring 40. It's transformational.

 

[TsuWave]

“honest footballers” I have no idea what this even means. So you want more Ugartes?

It’s funny because people moaned for years about various “lazy” players we had in Martial/Rashford/Pogba etc yet at least with them we were top 4 (because they were actually good footballers).

Not that I’m saying those lot were the best things to come through OT or anything, but it is ironic now considering any one of those 3 mentioned above put our entire group of midfielders and attackers to shame in terms of quality apart from Bruno and maybe Amad. Maybe we should try to get more good footballers?

I’ve expressed a similar sentiment in another thread where people were trying to dunk on ex-players

With Pogba and them we never finished 15th and we were actually winning Europa league finals and stuff - and not averaging one prem win per month for like 3/4 of a season

“honest footballers” and it’s just cardio specialists. people would do well to remember there’s still a ball involved in this sport

 

[Uncle Mainoo]

There are times to double down, times to hold and times to fold.

This is the latter.

No. If anything I’m doubling down. Rayan Cherki is no better than the Netherlands top goalscorer of all time.

 

[Infra-red]

Spending 60m pounds on Mbeumo when City are buying this guy for less, seems like another braindead decision.

I'm very cold on the Mbeumo signing, but I don't think Cherki is quite the right profile for Amorim's system (and he would want UCL football, anyway). He is outrageously talented, though, and could become one of the best attacking players in the Premier League at City, where he looks like a perfect fit for Guardiola's preferred style.

 

[Rolaholic]

 

[Uncle Mainoo]

I’ve expressed a similar sentiment in another thread where people were trying to dunk on ex-players

With Pogba and them we never finished 15th and we were actually winning Europa league finals and stuff - and not averaging one prem win per month for like 3/4 of a season

“honest footballers” and it’s just cardio specialists. people would do well to remember there’s still a ball involved in this sport

Who said honest footballers are cardio specialists? There is nothing wrong with being an athlete, I would argue it’s a major part of being a professional footballer. The best footballers combine talent with hard work.

The best team I’ve ever witnessed (Barcelona 2009) emphasised on recovering lost possessions under 5 seconds. You can’t cheat at the top. Thierry Henry was on the overlap the other day and said if you are a striker and your cannot “press” you are not complete.

Watch the people that actually do it talk and stop thinking you guys know it all without actually competing at the top level. We are just fans.. the professionals tell us all the time what is important and hopefully Amorim is focusing on that in the rebuild version 6-7-8. Whatever it is.

 

[Champ]

Funny reading the Grealish thread and then this one.
Both similar players, maybe not in how they play, but both mavericks, both not known for their relentless pressing, both looked at as luxury style players.

The same things being said about Cherki were said about Grealish when he joined city.

It's clear Amorim is wanting willing runners and putting emphasis on athleticism above anything else, which is perfect for his running based system.

Cherki does not fit into that at all, he lack athleticism and power, and whilst I'm sure he'll look good in the City system, I don't fancy him to be a stand out performer at all.

 

[the_cliff]

Funny reading the Grealish thread and then this one.
Both similar players, maybe not in how they play, but both mavericks, both not known for their relentless pressing, both looked at as luxury style players.

The same things being said about Cherki were said about Grealish when he joined city.

It's clear Amorim is wanting willing runners and putting emphasis on athleticism above anything else, which is perfect for his running based system.

Cherki does not fit into that at all, he lack athleticism and power, and whilst I'm sure he'll look good in the City system, I don't fancy him to be a stand out performer at all.

I'm sorry mate but Cherkis ceiling is completely different to Grealish. Cherki is a Balon Dor level talent, his creative ability is levels above Grealish and is one of the few players on earth that is worth the sacrifice of not tracking back.

 

[Crimson King]

I'm sorry mate but Cherkis ceiling is completely different to Grealish. Cherki is a Balon Dor level talent, his creative ability is levels above Grealish and is one of the few players on earth that is worth the sacrifice of not tracking back.

I bet that he comes nowhere near winning a balon

 

[Rolaholic]

I bet that he comes nowhere near winning a balon

Definitely not at City

 

[onemanarmy]

I'm sorry mate but Cherkis ceiling is completely different to Grealish. Cherki is a Balon Dor level talent, his creative ability is levels above Grealish and is one of the few players on earth that is worth the sacrifice of not tracking back.

We hear that about so many players, every single year. I predict he'll struggle at City.

 

[onemanarmy]

Spending 60m pounds on Mbeumo when City are buying this guy for less, seems like another braindead decision.

What makes you think Cherki would want to join us over City? Who says we haven't tried?

 

[Top_Bins]

Spending 60m pounds on Mbeumo when City are buying this guy for less, seems like another braindead decision.

Pl proven goalscorer who works hard for the team. Exactly the player we need at his prime.

 

[dubplate warrior]

He's so damn naturally gifted. He's going to absolutely smash it for them.

 

[Andycoleno9]

Why is this guy so cheap? He looks as premium talent.
Shame that we were not all over him.

 

[Champ]

I'm sorry mate but Cherkis ceiling is completely different to Grealish. Cherki is a Balon Dor level talent, his creative ability is levels above Grealish and is one of the few players on earth that is worth the sacrifice of not tracking back.

Based on what exactly? Football manager?
He's a good player, but in City's/Peps system they don't carry players.

 

[Infra-red]

Why is this guy so cheap? He looks as premium talent.
Shame that we were not all over him.

Lyon are in financial trouble. He was reportedly available for £20m in January - that will come to look like a major bargain missed out on by many clubs in the next 18 months or so, I'd guess. As I said above, i don't think he's quite right for Amorim, but could be brilliant for Guardiola.

 

[Rolaholic]

What makes you think Cherki would want to join us over City? Who says we haven't tried?

We reportedly had talks with his reps over the EL tie with OL but I'm sure the prospect of joining was more appealing to them with CL qualification still in play

 

[Idxomer]

Why is this guy so cheap? He looks as premium talent.
Shame that we were not all over him.

He has 1 year left on his contract. He also stayed for a couple of more years at Lyon to help them during a rough period, so they agreed to let him leave at below market value.

 

[onemanarmy]

We reportedly had talks with his reps over the EL tie with OL but I'm sure the prospect of joining was more appealing to them with CL qualification still in play

Which is fully understandable. But hardly a brain dead decision from the board.

 

[huyn]

Lyon are in financial trouble. He was reportedly available for £20m in January - that will come to look like a major bargain missed out on by many clubs in the next 18 months or so, I'd guess. As I said above, i don't think he's quite right for Amorim, but could be brilliant for Guardiola.

Yea Lyon are in a financial mess, he was about to be sold for €22M late january, there was a total agreement with Dortmund and the player and PSG even tried to hijack the deal but the deal was supposedly done, then Sahin vetoed it at the last minute (then got sacked a few days later ) and the window closed and he stayed.

 

[cpresc]

I’m not convinced that this guy is a dead cert, unlike many people here. He’s more like a Temu Bruno. I personally think he’s gonna struggle with the pace and strength of the PL

 

[TsuWave]

Who said honest footballers are cardio specialists? There is nothing wrong with being an athlete, I would argue it’s a major part of being a professional footballer. The best footballers combine talent with hard work.

The best team I’ve ever witnessed (Barcelona 2009) emphasised on recovering lost possessions under 5 seconds. You can’t cheat at the top. Thierry Henry was on the overlap the other day and said if you are a striker and your cannot “press” you are not complete.

Watch the people that actually do it talk and stop thinking you guys know it all without actually competing at the top level. We are just fans.. the professionals tell us all the time what is important and hopefully Amorim is focusing on that in the rebuild version 6-7-8. Whatever it is.

You didn’t define “honest footballers” though. You did position it as an antithesis to what Cherki is - a supremely talented technician - with the underlying theme of your posts being “physicality”, “athleticism” and “pressing” - so your indignation to me boiling it down to “cardio specialists” is laughable. Maybe don’t use arbitrary, vague, made-up terms, and people won’t engage in similar exercises?

You don’t need to be complete to be successful or part of a successful team. In fact, I’d argue a substantial amount of players generally accepted as some of the best ever weren’t “complete” or even “great athletes” or press monsters. That aside, Thierry Henry could have been on the overlap saying that if you don’t score three backheel goals per season you’re not complete - and it would mean absolutely nothing to me or what I said. We were an actually relatively competitive team with players that were often criticised as “lazy” llikely because they had some actual ability on the ball. It’s been free-fall since - culminating on a 15th place finish. That didn’t happen with Pogba/Martial/Rashford

The irony in all this is you’re the one speaking as if you know it all - and citing the likes of ex-players as corroboration as if they’re infallible and/or you’re unable to formulate your own opinions. I’m sure with all the knowledge that Henry has on what’s needed/important, he’s racking up untold managerial success at an unparalleled pace

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

I'm sorry mate but Cherkis ceiling is completely different to Grealish. Cherki is a Balon Dor level talent, his creative ability is levels above Grealish and is one of the few players on earth that is worth the sacrifice of not tracking back.

Also Cherki cost a third of what Grealish did. The entire point is that any "concerns" you might have that he won't press enough or doesn't have loads of pace/cardio are mitigated by the fact that he's fecking 30m, a price tag that basically only gets you lottery ticket young kids with "potential" or random average players.

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

Well that’s the problem. It’s all about balance isn’t it. We had Pogba and Rashford. Liverpool had Salah and Wijni. Yet they were by far the better team.

Again just because I mention a word that sounds simplistic doesn’t mean it is. Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham.. were all honest footballers.

Extreme talent is fine but are you hungry are you professional on the pitch. We need those type of players.

Maybe it’s the age we live in where players look more robotic but there is nothing that Cherki has served up that Memphis Depay couldn’t do. We’ve had all these players fans want to get upset about that we aren’t glazing over now.

I repeat like the manager has said. We need to improve our physicality and athleticism. Once we get that foundation then we can worry about adding the cherry on top players.

I wholeheartedly disagree with this and I think many others would as well.

Mentioning Keane/Giggs/Beckham is pointless because all three are PL all timers that were unbelievably good footballers that happened to also work hard for the team. But they were good footballers first and foremost. My point is it's much easier to sign a brilliant footballer and try to improve his work rate a bit than it is just signing some cardio merchant and getting him to improve his creativity, technicality, passing range, instincts, and general skill level. Dembele pressed like a mad man this past season, and people thought he was a lazy cnut at Barca.

 

[BrilliantOrange]

Why on earth would he want to come here if City is also after him..

 

[The Fighting Nerd]

Maybe it’s the age we live in where players look more robotic but there is nothing that Cherki has served up that Memphis Depay couldn’t do. We’ve had all these players fans want to get upset about that we aren’t glazing over now.

His technical ability is miles better than Depay's, just his ability to play in tight spaces makes the comparison silly. That's not getting into his ability to pick up the ball anywhere on the pitch, play passes with both feet, and his passing in general. I've been watching Cherki 2020/21 for what it's worth. Some of the takes in this thread have been weird.

 

[Pughnichi]

Spending 60m pounds on Mbeumo when City are buying this guy for less, seems like another braindead decision.

Not for me

Cunha and Mbuemo are prem proven and I believe it’s a good transfer strategy. As appose to highly rated players playing in a foreign league


Cherki might come in and smash it at city team. But would anyone really be surprised if he rocked up her and had similar struggles to Antony for example