Rayan Cherki's biggest flaw revealed by ex-Lyon co-star despite Man City playmaker's 'incredible' ability Rayan Cherki, the 22-year-old Manchester City summer signing, has been celebrated as one of football’s most naturally gifted talents, but his former Lyon teammate Remy Riou has highlighted a recurring challenge in the player’s game. Despite being compared to a freestyle footballer like Ronaldinho, Riou described Cherki’s tendency to overcomplicate situations as a key obstacle to his consistency. During their time together at Lyon, the creative playmaker’s flair often led to moments of confusion for defenders and goalkeepers alike. Cherki’s journey from Lyon prodigy to City’s key player has been marked by impressive stats. Over two years at Lyon, he made 185 appearances, scoring 29 goals and providing 45 assists, solidifying his reputation as a standout in Ligue 1. His move to the Premier League in 2025 saw him quickly adapt, netting nine goals and adding 10 assists in 37 matches. However, Riou’s insights suggest that Cherki’s approach to the game—while dazzling—often left teammates and opponents struggling to keep up. Riou, who played alongside Cherki at Lyon, shared his perspective with So Foot, explaining how the player’s unpredictable style created challenges. “Rayan could do incredible things, but he did too much,” Riou said. “He’d dribble past four players, but when he had to pass because he’d created space, he’d try another trick instead of making a simple decision. He was confusing, yes, but after a while, you realize he’s not going to make the pass, so you stay focused on him.” This inconsistency, Riou argued, led to defensive players losing their composure, as they tried to anticipate every move without success.#pep_guardiola #man_city #rayan_cherki #remy_riou #lyon
