‘He has a gift’ – Kylian Mbappe blown away by ‘spectacular’ Man City talent
Pep Guardiola will be praying none of his Manchester City players pick up injuries during the November international break.
The Spaniard is chasing down Mikel Arteta at the top of the Premier League table, setting up a potentially thrilling title race.
Man City’s 3-0 win over Liverpool before the break saw them close the gap to just four points after Arsenal were held to a 2-2 draw by Sunderland.
Erling Haaland’s header and Jeremy Doku’s stunning goal stole the headlines against Liverpool, but one of City’s other stars continued his excellent form.
Kylian Mbappe calls Rayan Cherki ‘spectacular’
After suffering a thigh problem in the early stages of his Manchester City career, summer signing Rayan Cherki is showcasing his incredible talent.
Man City fans called Cherki the ‘bargain of the summer’ after he grabbed a goal from the bench during a 4-0 thrashing of Borussia Dortmund, and as a result, was rewarded with a start in the win over Liverpool.
The 22-year-old produced a stunning performance against the Reds, utilising his low centre of gravity and fleet-footed dribbling to wreak havoc in the right channel.
In a life-changing few months for the attacker, Cherki was even called up to the France squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Azerbaijan.
The Frenchman is now in line to receive his third cap for the senior side, and superstar teammate Kylian Mbappe has already hailed his talent.
🚨🇫🇷 Kylian Mbappé on Rayan Cherki: “He’s a special talent. He has a gift that he's in the process of exploiting. It's an innate, spectacular talent”.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 12, 2025
“He has integrated very well into the France group and at Manchester City, which is not easy. I hope he continues like this”. pic.twitter.com/Ma9vsuQcYO
“He’s a special talent. He has a gift that he’s in the process of exploiting,” Mbappe said. “It’s an innate, spectacular talent”.
“He has integrated very well into the France group and at Manchester City, which is not easy. I hope he continues like this”.
Pep Guardiola blown away by Cherki
Having emerged as an invaluable talent for club and country, there is no surprise that Guardiola has shown his admiration for the youngster, even calling him one of the ‘most talented’ players he’s worked with.
“Rayan is one of the most talented players I have ever seen in my career,” Guardiola declared via City’s official website at the end of October.
“His talent… he is top. The question is how he settles and how he needs to read actions.
“He started well at the Club World Cup but then had a few weeks off. I have the feeling most of the time when the ball comes to him, the situation is better.
“But not all the time you have to do exceptional things – just play football. He has something. The pass for Erling in the last moments [against Everton], he can do it.
“He is a player who doesn’t feel pressure. He is like a street player.”
Considering the Spaniard has worked with some of the greatest players in the modern era, that is praise of the highest order for Cherki, who has limitless potential.