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Pep Guardiola praised Rayan Cherki's goal against Arsenal but expressed frustration over his lack of involvement afterward. He emphasized the need for Cherki to contribute more consistently during matches.
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âWe didnât find him much after the goalâ â Pep Guardiola outlines Rayan Cherki frustrations despite Arsenal brilliance
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has detailed the elements of Rayan Cherkiâs game that can be worked on ahead of Wednesdayâs game against Burnley.
Cherkiâs solo effort in Sundayâs 2-1 win over Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium was widely described as one of the goals of the season, a swerving, instinctive finish that announced the scale of his talent to a global audience watching one of the most significant Premier League fixtures in years.
Yet Guardiola, while effusive in his praise, was equally candid about the areas where he believes the 22-year-old must improve if he is to fulfil the extraordinary potential he so obviously possesses.
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The comments reflect a broader pattern that has run through Cherkiâs debut season in English football, moments of breathtaking brilliance punctuated by periods of relative anonymity, particularly when City take control of a game and the urgency that brings out his best dissipates.
Guardiola praised Cherki's goal but noted that he wants more consistent contributions from him throughout the game.
Guardiola is frustrated because Cherki tends to disappear from the game when Manchester City is winning comfortably.
Guardiola wants Cherki to deliver more impactful actions, aiming for at least five significant contributions per game.
Cherki's goal was described as one of the season's best, showcasing his talent to a global audience during a major Premier League match.

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Ahead of Wednesdayâs Premier League meeting with Burnley at Turf Moor, Guardiola was glowing in his initial appraisal of Cherkiâs goal against Arsenal before pivoting sharply to what he wants to see more of.
âWhat a goal, right? But I like to push him,â Guardiola said. âHe was extraordinary. What I like the most is the difficulties, 1-0, 0-0, going down, always he makes a step forward.
âBut sometimes when we are 2-0 up, 3-0 up, heâs not involved anymore. So he makes an incredible goal, but after that â maybe it was for the way we play â we didnât find him much, after the goal.
âAnd I want him more and that action that he has done, I want five of them! Not finishing with a goal, right, but more actions to pass at the end, and it didnât happen.â
The demand for âfive of those actionsâ rather than one is a telling indicator of how high Guardiolaâs bar is set for Cherki and how far the City manager believes the young Frenchman is still from meeting it on a regular basis.
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Guardiola did not shy away from acknowledging the specific tendency that concerns him most â Cherkiâs propensity to fade from games once City establish a lead.
âSometimes in the last games when we went 2-0 up or the other one, he is like, not disappear. He has the biggest attribute when itâs 0-0, going down, we found him more. But I think itâs part of the process,â Guardiola added.
The 55-year-old was quick to contextualise his criticism, however, pointing to Cherkiâs age and the natural arc of development that still lies ahead of him.
Guardiola added: âHow old is he? 22, 23 years old? So young! As much as you want to learn or want to be still this sense of being incredibly competitive, heâll become a top player because the goal he has scored is Rayan Cherki. So this cannot be taught, cannot be guided, itâs just his amazing talent that he has.â
The distinction Guardiola draws is an important one. The instinct, the vision, the audacity to attempt and execute a goal of that calibre in that moment, those qualities are innate.
What can be developed, and what Guardiola is clearly working on, is the discipline and intensity to sustain that level of contribution across 95 minutes regardless of the scoreline.
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For a player talkSPORTâs Adrian Durham has already declared the only contender for Footballer of the Year, the ceiling remains tantalisingly, almost impossibly, high.