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Rayan Cherki has become a firm fan favourite at Manchester City and his importance in the team is growing
In recent weeks, Manchester has welcomed a new artist, and the Etihad is his canvas. Rayan Cherki again produced a masterful display as Manchester City swept aside West Ham to notch a seventh straight win in all competitions and move top of the Premier League table.
Cherki, who was absent early in the season through injury, has played his way into Pep Guardiola's first-choice XI and into the hearts of City fans. The 22-year-old is just one of those players you'd pay to see. He excites and enthrals, delights and dictates.
He'd already displayed a touch or two that displayed his talent before his quick feet set City on the way to their second goal, a wonderfully constructed move that ended with Tijjani Reijnders lifting a shot into the roof of the net.
Cherki stood on the right, almost still, delighted with his work as Erling Haaland, who had already scored and would do so again, pointed at the Frenchman to acknowledge the role he had in the goal. It was Cherki too, who had won the ball back on the edge of the West Ham penalty area to spark the chance.
Pep Guardiola joked on Friday about not wanting to give his number 10 too many compliments; he spoke after Cherki's sensational rabona assist against Sunderland about doing the simple things well; he pointed out after Brentford that Cherki was replaced because he was too tired to do the necessary defensive work.
Cherki was again replaced early against the Hammers, and while Guardiola wanted more from him and others over the course of the 90 minutes. While the City boss might well be happy to sacrifice a touch of the elaborate for a more simplistic, consistent approach, he cannot deny the influence Cherki can have on games and the energy he transfers to the crowd.
He is a gamechanger and just now he is changing games. If City are to challenge at home and abroad, there are going to be times when a moment of magic is required. Cherki is the magician, an artist who paints pictures others can't see.
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