Manchester City’s pre-season preparations are in full swing, and the arrival of summer signing Yanis Cherki has injected a fresh, youthful energy into the team.
The 21-year-old French prodigy spoke with teenage boldness in an interview after an open training session: “I want to win every game, enjoy football, and bring joy to the fans.” It sounds like a standard welcome speech, but paired with his tenacity in training and past performances, there’s clearly bigger ambition beneath the words.
Cherki joined City for €36.5 million – a steal in today’s transfer market. At Lyon, he’d already shown exceptional attacking flair, tallying 8 goals and 9 assists in Ligue 1 last season, while earning a spot in the Europa League Team of the Tournament. Since moving to City, he’s quickly proven himself in pre-season and the Club World Cup, with 1 goal and 1 assist in 4 games sparking excitement for his Premier League debut. Yet stats reveal concerns: a 43% duel success rate, and frequent criticism of his defensive work rate. Lyon manager Paulo Fonseca once bluntly noted: “He needs to learn to track back, like Lacazette does.”
Thankfully, City have a tactical master in Pep Guardiola – and Cherki’s adaptability is evident. He says his favorite role is the number 10, but Guardiola is more likely to deploy him as a wide playmaker: cutting inside to orchestrate attacks like Bernardo Silva, using his two-footed ability and skill in tight spaces to create chances for Erling Haaland. Phil Foden will provide competition, but their styles complement each other: Foden excels at off-the-ball runs, while Cherki thrives on carrying the ball forward, potentially forming a “dual-core” attacking setup.
Off the pitch, Cherki’s personality is a talking point. He was mocked for a controversial celebration after Lyon’s Europa League loss to Manchester United; now at City, he’s even declared, “I’m ready to take down United in the Manchester derby.” This youthful fire is a breath of fresh air – City’s squad has been largely reserved in recent years, and Cherki’s boldness might add a bit of “street edge” to the team.
Of course, €36.5 million isn’t a fortune, but risks remain. The Premier League’s physicality dwarfs Ligue 1, and whether he can adapt to its pace and intensity is uncertain. If he fails to improve defensively, he could end up a “cup specialist” like João Félix; but if he overcomes this hurdle, Guardiola could mold him into another City-bred superstar.
As the new season approaches, Cherki’s challenge begins. Will he become a fan favorite at the Etihad, or fade like some expensive flops? Time will tell. For now, though, his ambition and “joy of football” philosophy have already given City fans something to look forward to.
