dailyloe.com – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has emphasized his desire for Rayan Cherki to operate in the final third. Guardiola spoke at a press conference before City’s upcoming match against Chelsea. The French attacking midfielder has been crucial in recent cup victories over Arsenal and Liverpool. He is adapting quickly in his first season at the Etihad Stadium.
Cherki has contributed nine goals and 11 assists across all competitions. The 22-year-old has adapted to English football and Guardiola’s specific demands. Guardiola wants Cherki to stay close to the opposition goal. He believes Cherki’s skill can do the most damage there.
“He has the ability and quality in the final third,” Guardiola said. “That’s why I sometimes say when they go to the goalkeeper for the ball I say no, I want you there in the final third.” Guardiola praised how his attacking players manage the game’s rhythm. He highlighted their ability to accelerate and decelerate before attacking.
“They have something that I like a lot with attacking players, how they play with rhythms, accelerate, decelerate, accelerate, decelerate, then immediately attack then stop, then accelerate again,” Guardiola explained. He said these players can play with the opponents’ rhythm. Their vision to make the extra pass defines the best players.
Guardiola compared Cherki’s composure to club captain Bernardo Silva. He has relied on Silva heavily during his near ten-year reign at City. “He’s one of the most unbelievably talented players I’ve ever seen,” Guardiola said of Cherki. He expressed hope that Cherki can stay at the club for longer.
“Hopefully he can stay for longer because he has the attributes to be a top player,” said Pep. “The attributes he has are difficult to find, he’s the same as Bernardo, in the difficult moments and under pressure, he acts like it’s a friendly game, that it doesn’t matter, and that’s so difficult to find.” Guardiola values this trait highly for any player the team signs.
“As a manager and sporting director, it’s one of the biggest attributes I’d like to find in a player that the team signs,” he stated. In other team news, Erling Haaland returned to scoring form last weekend. He netted his 12th hat-trick of the season in the win over Liverpool. This performance contributed to City’s recent successes.[]
Source: Manchester City FC
