A maverick untamed? Why Cherki splits opinion

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Rayan Cherki has scored three goals and provided eight assists in the Premier League this season

Rayan Cherki caused a stir on social media with his antics at the Carabao Cup final. The Manchester City midfielder will be hoping to steal the show again in Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool.

Videos were widely shared of the Frenchman juggling the ball mid-game, winking at the crowd after being fouled by Arsenal's Ben White and shoving manager Pep Guardiola at the full-time whistle before running off to celebrate victory with his team-mates.

Supporters rejoiced at his showboating at Wembley with the City Xtra, external website's Freddie Pye telling BBC Sport: "Cherki is refreshing to watch. He plays with freedom and shuts down the notion that players at City are restricted.

"He is a pleasure of a footballer to witness and brings back the authentic excitement of the game."

However, it enraged some pundits, with former Manchester United defender Gary Neville labelling Cherki "arrogant", and ex-Premier League manager Alan Pardew calling it "an insult in the pro game".

It also seemingly left boss Guardiola unimpressed too - he stood on the touchline with his arms folded, shaking his head.

But that triumphant Sunday encapsulated Cherki's personality - a free-spirited maverick that brings the chaos within City's disciplined system.

"I learned to play football in the streets, in the estates, on concrete. So, naturally it's my DNA and I'll never change that," Cherki said in July, external after joining City from Ligue 1 side Lyon.

Cherki has stuck to his word since moving to England and remains a crowd pleaser. There is an intake of breath from the crowd every time he gets the ball at Etihad Stadium.

His catalogue of tricks and flicks in a City shirt this season would make for an impressive compilation on YouTube or TikTok.

Team-mates have spoken glowingly about Cherki, with France captain Kylian Mbappe saying he has a "gift" of playing football, City skipper Bernardo Silva calling him a "special talent" while Phil Foden said he is a "unique" player.

Though Guardiola has said Cherki is one of the most talented players he has worked with, some of the silky skills from the 22-year-old have not always gone down well.

In December, Guardiola rebuked his player for a 'rabona' assist against Sunderland saying "I never saw Lionel Messi play a cross like he has done" and although it worked on this occasion, he would be in "trouble" if it didn't.

Cherki seems to delight and infuriate in equal measure.

Brought in to replace club legend Kevin de Bruyne, Cherki had big boots to fill but the early signs suggest he can plug the hole left by the brilliant Belgian and his creativity.

The midfielder has provided eight Premier League assists this season, all from open play, while he has created 15 big chances and managed 21 through balls - he trails only Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes in all these metrics.

Cherki featured in France's friendly win over Colombia during the recent international break, but 1998 World Cup winner Christophe Dugarry provided a scathing assessment of the player and his work-rate.

"What is this player who can afford to stop when he loses the ball?" said, external the former Birmingham City striker. "What is this player who, every time he touches the ball, is in a performance? Stop talking about Cherki like that.

"He is a player who still needs consistency and to be much better over time. He needs to show, to prove, to demonstrate.

"Oh, Cherki, he's not [Zinedine] Zidane."

Pye adds: "There is an expectation on him to make things happen when things are not going your way.

"There is a real bravery of taking the game by the scruff of the neck and showcase his raw ability no matter what the occasion is. He is definitely a breed of footballer that the Premier League has needed.

"Guardiola is aware that this is a player that can go all the way. It is up to Cherki himself though. How much does he want it? How far does he want to go?"

On Saturday, Cherki comes up against a Liverpool side he might have joined in the summer, having reportedly, external met manager Arne Slot for talks.

But the Reds went all in to splash £116m on Germany international Florian Wirtz, opening the path for City to bring in Cherki for a mere £30m.

There has been one clear winner in those two transfers so far - Cherki will be aiming to serve another reminder on what Slot could have had.