Is Rayan Cherki The Signing Of The Season In The Premier League?

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Cherki might well be the signing of the season. He has given City a different dimension when it desperately needed one after the summer departure of Kevin De Bruyne. Cherki is a different sort of playmaker to the Belgian, but he is clearly Manchester City’s most trusted inventor in the final third.

Other new signings have made a positive impact in the Premier League this season. Bryan Mbeumo and Senne Lammens settled in quickly at Manchester United. Hugo Ekitike also scored 11 league goals as Liverpool’s new centre forward before suffering a season-ending injury.

Nobody, however, has changed the character of a new team as much as Cherki has. Guardiola hasn’t always been on the same page as the Frenchman whose individualism clearly irks the Manchester City manager at times. There’s no denying, though, that City would be worse off without him.

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 27: Rayan Cherki of Manchester City celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City at the City Ground on December 27, 2025 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

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Sunday’s victory over Arsenal put Manchester City in control of its title race destiny. Indeed, Guardiola’s side will go top of the Premier League table with a win over Burnley on Wednesday. With just six games left of the 2025/26 campaign, the momentum appears to have swung towards City.

If Manchester City is to win a seventh Premier League title in nine years, Cherki will have played his part. Erling Haaland might be City’s most reliable goalscorer with Rodri still arguably the best central midfielder in the world, but Cherki is the one pushing the team towards the top of the table.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com