Not Haaland: Man City fans drool over ‘generational footballer’ who was even better than Phil Foden vs Crystal Palace
Manchester City fans were stunned by Rayan Cherki’s performance in their 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Cherki was signed by Manchester City in June, arriving from French club Lyon in a deal worth around £34million.
The midfielder’s early weeks at the Etihad Stadium were marred by injury, but his talent has been on full show since returning.
Kylian Mbappe is among Cherki’s plaudits, and it is easy to see why. The France international now leads the Premier League in assists, claiming another on Sunday.
Manchester City fans were in awe of Cherki’s performance against Sunderland, and the reaction was similar against Crystal Palace.
Manchester City fans laud ‘absurd’ Rayan Cherki
Erling Haaland opened the scoring against Crystal Palace on Sunday, rising highest to head in Matheus Nunes‘ deep cross. The striker would add a third from the penalty spot in the final minutes.
Manchester City needed to win following Arsenal’s late victory over Wolves on Saturday, and they did so in superb style.
It was their second that claimed many of the plaudits, with Cherki picking up the ball in midfield and driving past Adam Wharton before laying off to Phil Foden, who drilled in from the edge of the box.
The England international is on a stunning run of form with six goals and an assist across his last four Premier League appearances, but it was Cherki who attracted the acclaim.
One Manchester City fan described the 22-year-old as “absolutely disgusting”, with another going slightly further by dubbing him the “best football player in the world”.
One user, in a similar sentiment, called Cherki as a “one-of-a-kind, generational footballer”, perfectly encapsulating just how highly rated the Frenchman has become.
Another besotted fan said: “Cherki is the most beautiful thing [that has] happened with City in [the] last five years”.
The stats behind Cherki’s stunning performance
Looking at the stats from Sunday’s game, it is easy to see why Manchester City fans are so enamoured by Cherki.
The winger created more chances than any other player on the pitch, and completed a staggering five dribbles across the 90 minutes.
| Rayan Cherki | vs Crystal Palace (A) |
| Minutes played | 90 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Chances created | 3 |
| Successful dribbles | 5 |
| Recoveries | 5 |
| Duels won | 7/11 |
Cherki was a constant issue for Nathaniel Clyne and Crystal Palace, winning the majority of his duels and completing five recoveries, too.
Pep Guardiola‘s side keep marching, and with Foden and Cherki in the form that they are, it is difficult to see them slowing down anytime soon.