Has a new midfield option at Manchester City appeared for Enzo Maresca?
Rayan Cherki has made a strong start to the 2026-27 season for Manchester City. Playing nominally as a number ten, the French international has scored four goals and provided two assists in eight appearances in all competitions. Cherki’s performance in Manchester City’s 4-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, where he bagged a brace, was arguably his standout display. Cherki’s impressive start to the season has seen him earn himself a new role in midfield for Zinedine Zidane’s French side. Looking at how Zidane utilised Cherki, you do wonder if Enzo Maresca could play Cherki in a deeper midfield role for Manchester City.
Zinedine Zidane has had high praise for Rayan Cherki and what he adds to midfield.
France beat Türkiye 1-0 in their opening UEFA Nations League Group One fixture. Kylian Mbappe scored the winner in the 54th minute of the match in Kocaeli. Looking at the match solely from a Manchester City point of view, Rayan Cherki played in a deeper midfield role for Zinedine Zidane’s side. He helped dictate the tempo of the match as he completed 68/74 passes. Also, a feature of Cherki’s performance was how his wide range of passing opened up avenues for the French side to attack. Cherki also carried a threat with his dribbling. Cherki had three progressive carries for a total of 77.3 metres. Out of possession, Cherki won five of his nine ground duels, which shows he does have the all-round game to play in a deeper midfield role.
Speaking before France’s next match against Belgium, in quotes relayed by Get French Football News, Zinedine Zidane revealed that he would have loved to have played with Rayan Cherki. More important than that, Zidane had praise for Cherki’s work without the ball. Zidane explained: “Yes, well yes (I would have liked to play with him), he’s a proper footballer. ”
Could Rayan Cherki drop into a deeper midfield role for Manchester City?
The sample size of Rayan Cherki playing in a deeper midfield for France is very small. However, his performance against Türkiye was full of promise. Zinedine Zidane’s praise for Cherki is also notable. That doesn’t come easy, especially from a manager who in his prime as a player was arguably one of the finest players of his generation. Looking at whether or not Rayan Cherki could play a similar role at Manchester City to the one that Zidane has played him in, there is a case for it.
Rayan Cherki can control the tempo of a match from a deeper midfield role. There were glimpses of this last season under Pep Guardiola. At times, Cherki resembled Bernardo Silva when he did play deeper in midfield. Obviously, with Enzo Fernandez, Ayyoub Bouaddi, and Elliot Anderson in midfield, Manchester City are blessed with quality options. However, Cherki playing in a deeper midfield role does offer something completely different to any other midfielder. It would also get him onto the ball more often, which would only be a good thing for Manchester City. It is food for thought for Enzo Maresca if nothing else.
Zinedine Zidane has had high praise for Rayan Cherki nad has utilised him in a deeper midfield role for France. You do wonder if Enzo Maresca could consider playing Cherki in a similar role for Manchester City to offer a different dimension to City’s play in midfield.
