Rayan Cherki’s rabona assist, and the need to nurture creative expression – The Conventional Playmaker
‘’Whatever you do, uh
Do it good, uh
Whatever you do, do, do, Lord, Lord
Do it good
Oh yeah’’
(‘Express Yourself’ – Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, 1970)
Rayan Cherki provided two assists in Manchester City’s 3-0 win against Sunderland. This brings City to within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal, and Cherki’s assist total to 5, the joint second highest in the league. One of the two assists against Sunderland, was a sublime rabona cross for Phil Foden’s header, which showcased the Frenchman’s mercurial talent, his growing understanding with Foden, but also received constructive feedback from head coach Pep Guardiola.
The rabona cross came as the result of a quick transition. After intercepting a ball inside from Chemsdine Talbi, City quickly moved the ball forward through the centre, attacking five against five, with Haaland passing to Bernardo Silva. Silva laid the ball off to Cherki on the right flank. Cherki took on left-back Trai Hume down the outside, seemingly trying to find the space from which to cross with his right foot.
But Cherki checked back onto his left foot with a deft chop, deceiving the defender, and offering himself an extra yard of time and space. Cherki capped off the dance with a devilishly skilful cross by wrapping his right foot around his left leg to find Foden, who had chugged along into the penalty-area unmarked. Sunderland had started the match sturdy, but as the match went on, City were able to break down their defence via interplay, and transitions.
Not only was the move an insight into Cherki’s skill, it was evidence of his growing understanding with Foden, who has been rediscovering his own good form this season; Foden’s header means he has scored five goals in three match, and was his sixth league goal of the season, whereas he only scored 7 in the entirety of the previous campaign.
Foden and Cherki often exchange passes in close proximity, with Cherki having room to float between the lines, be that when starting out wide on the right, or in a more central berth.
City’s tactical approach has not been restricting Cherki, as he can receive the ball in different areas, and he has plenty of responsibility on the ball. Whilst Cherki has only managed 398 minutes in the league, he averages more touches of the ball in the attacking third than any other City player, with 40.9 per 90.
Cherki also created the most chances of any player in the win over Sunderland, with 6. This goes alongside Cherki’s average for chances created so far, with 3.41 per 90, and his average for passes into the penalty area, with 3.86 per 90. So you could argue Cherki is already an effective player in terms of creating chances for his teammates.
Cherki boasts a cleverness with and without the ball. Good positional sense to drop alongside Foden, relieve, and the. Set up Haaland for the second time against Bournemouth. Quick thinking set him up before with a header. Its not like the situation with Grealish. Points on the mercurial nature of his game.
The funny thing about the assist which has garnered so much traction is, Cherki is very two-footed. He is as good with his left foot, as he is with his right; it is hard to decipher just which is his stronger foot at times. So whilst the rabona cross proved effective, leading to a well-worked goal, it was also very much in character for Cherki and what he does on the pitch. He is a playmaker who plays off the cuff, and with freedom of expression that seems to know no bounds. Cherki could easily have played a simpler, less flamboyant cross with his left foot, but pulled off the rabona because it was instinctive, and natural to him, even if it was not entirely necessary.
During a post-match interview, Guardiola lauded Cherki as ‘‘an exceptional player’’. But further comments from City’s head coach suggested he was not as taken away by Cherki’s assist, not drawing the reaction that it had received from fans. Guardiola said that he wants his players to ‘‘do the simple things well, and after that you have special talent, and he can do whatever he wants.’’ Guardiola values the asset signed in the summer from Lyon, but implied doing the simple actions correctly on a regular basis can make a player more effective. These actions cannot be overlooked, with comparisons to Lionel Messi, who Guardiola says never plays ‘‘a cross like that…’’ are in one sense a positive thing; players are not just randomly compared to Messi by anyone, let alone by Guardiola.
Simultaneously, comparisons to Messi do not seem completely fair. Yes Messi is one of, if not the greatest player to play the game, and he, and Cherki, are both diminutive dribblers who can thread a ball through the eye of a needle. But Cherki has always been flamboyant in his play, and though he has a long way to go if he is to ever match Messi’s sustained efficiency, Cherki’s flamboyance is what has helped him be effective.
Not that Guardiola wants to relinquish Cherki of his ingenuity, but it is worth saying that doing so would relinquish Cherki of what makes him not only so fun to watch, but what makes him effective. That said, it is also worth taking into consideration what Guardiola said. It is true that mastering the basics is important, and he is doing what he can to develop different aspects of Cherki’s overall game. And doing so does not exactly devoid a player of being able to express themselves.
It is important, however, to find a balance between the two, as though efficient, repeatable, straightforward options on the ball can prove more effective in tight situations, Cherki’s game seems to be all about creating openings with trickery, and doing what seems to come naturally to him.
Data courtesy of FBref!
