Pep Guardiola shares clear Rayan Cherki plan ahead of Monaco vs Man City
Pep Guardiola has issued an injury update on winger Rayan Cherki ahead of their visit to Monaco in the Champions League.
France international Cherki moved to Man City from Lyon for an initial £30.5million in June to bolster Pep Guardiola’s attacking ranks after a trophyless 2024-25 campaign.
The 22-year-old made his Man City debut at the Club World Cup and scored his first goal for the club against Al-Ain in the group stages, but was unable to help his new side avoid crashing out in the round of 16.
Cherki netted on his Premier League debut against Wolves last month and was handed a start in the following game against Tottenham, but limped off injured just before the hour mark in the Citizens’ 2-0 loss.
After over a month out of action, Cherki returned to Man City training on Tuesday (30 September) ahead of their midweek Champions League clash against Monaco, and his boss has now confirmed when fans can expect to see him back in action on the pitch.
Guardiola confirms that Cherki will not play against Monaco or Brentford
Cherki was not named in City’s squad for their clash against Monaco as he continues his recovery, so supporters might have expected to see him return in the Premier League against Brentford on Sunday (5 October).
Despite those hopes, Guardiola confirmed that Cherki will also miss the trip to face the Bees in his pre-Champions League press conference on Tuesday, saying: “It’s so risky [his injury], because next time it’s surgery, next time it’s four or five months, and I don’t want to take a risk in that game on Sunday.
“After we have two weeks to fully recover by training alone, with the EDS, with the team, and he’ll be ready. Rayan [Cherki] has a special quality in tight games, in the final third – a vision and pass that is difficult to find. That’s why it’s important to come back and not take a step back.“
Cherki could return to the Man City squad against Everton
The 22-year-old is not set to play a part in either of City’s next two games, meaning he may have been out of action for around eight weeks by the time he steps foot on the pitch once again.
It certainly seems unlikely that he takes part in France’s upcoming fixtures against Ukraine and Iceland, with Guardiola stating that he faces another two weeks recovering, which will anger Didier Deschamps after Cherki shone for his country on his debut in June.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 185 | 29 | 45 |
Cherki was chased by both Liverpool and Man City as he sought an exit from financially-troubled Lyon in the summer, but it was the latter who won the race for his signature after he notched eight goals and 11 assists in 30 league appearances last season.
Guardiola’s admiration of the playmaker is clear to see, and he looks set to make a return to his ranks in City’s clash against Everton directly after the international break on 18 October, with his availability set to massively boost their chances of success in the short and long-term this season.