​Rayan Cherki impressed throughout his first season at Manchester City after arriving from Lyon last summer, contributing 10 goals and 15 assists in 52 appearances in all competitions. His ability to deliver moments of real quality and sustain strong form for City helped propel him into Didier Deschamps’s France squad for this summer’s World Cup. Cherki had been seen as a potential match-winner for Les Bleus, yet the fierce competition in France’s attack, with Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé, Bradley Barcola and Désiré Doué all vying for minutes, meant the youngster faced a difficult path to regular involvement.
Rather than becoming a constant presence at the World Cup, Cherki has scarcely featured. His tournament experience could, however, spark a new impetus for both him and Manchester City. France entered the 2026 FIFA World Cup as favourites to triumph, their squad’s strengths, particularly in the final third, making them short-price contenders. Apart from a tight 1-0 win over Paraguay in the Round of 16, France have cruised through the tournament, with their attack starring as Mbappe and Olise have been particularly influential. Alongside them, Dembélé, Doué and Barcola have also contributed as France progressed to the semi-finals, where they are set to meet Spain. Across five appearances as a substitute, Cherki has logged only 61 minutes, having been used late in games and not given a real chance to impact the tournament. There is no shame in that—he faces stiff competition from Olise, Dembélé, Barcola and Doué. Yet he would indeed have preferred more time on the pitch. Still, the limited minutes could end up benefiting City when the focus shifts back to the club level.
At 22 years old, Cherki remains a young talent, even if he seems to have been around for an age. The World Cup was his first major international tournament, and while he might have hoped for a more prominent role for France this summer, simply being among such a gifted group has value for his development. He now understands the level required to be a key contributor for his country on the biggest stage.
For Manchester City, Cherki could be a crucial asset for Enzo Maresca’s squad in the coming season and beyond. He has witnessed at first hand what makes Mbappe, Olise and others such potent attacking forces, and to win a regular starting berth for France, he will need to meet that level himself. He unquestionably possesses the talent to do so. Perhaps spending the World Cup on the periphery will ignite a burning desire in Cherki, driving him to elevate his game to new heights and become a more influential figure for City. If that fire is kindled, City could benefit from Cherki’s improved consistency, decision-making, and willingness to take decisive moments in the attack. With the right environment and continued development, Cherki’s ceiling remains high, and his impact for City in the upcoming seasons could be substantial.