Pep Guardiola has revealed that he is ready to experiment with Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden together in midfield as Manchester City look to find fresh attacking solutions following Kevin De Bruyne’s departure earlier this year.The Manchester City boss spoke ahead of their upcoming Premier League clash against Bournemouth, praising Cherki’s growing influence and hinting that pairing the Frenchman with Foden could become a regular feature in upcoming games.
Rayan Cherki impressed in midweek, marking his first start since injury with a goal and an assist in the 3-1 Carabao Cup win over Swansea City. The performance helped City secure a quarter-final spot against Brentford and reminded fans of why the club invested £34 million to sign him from Lyon last summer.
Cherki’s Rise and Guardiola’s Tactical Vision
Guardiola highlighted that Cherki’s creativity and versatility were central to City’s plan to fill the creative void left by Kevin De Bruyne’s exit. The 22-year-old Frenchman was one of Hugo Viana’s top summer recruits and has already earned praise for his technical flair and attacking instinct.
After scoring on his Premier League debut in a 4-0 victory over Wolves, Cherki made an immediate impression before being sidelined by injury in August. His return has been carefully managed, with impactful cameos against Everton and Aston Villa before his standout display in Wales this week.
Speaking in his Friday press conference, Guardiola admitted he is now considering pairing Cherki and Foden together in midfield, describing it as a “real option” moving forward.
“It’s a real option playing them together in some games – like Omar Marmoush and Erling Haaland,” Guardiola said. “We have a lot of alternatives, but it depends on the physicality of the Premier League and the type of opponent we face, especially when Rodri is not available.”
Foden-Cherki Chemistry Growing
Guardiola praised the growing chemistry between Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki, revealing that the duo have already developed a strong bond in training and impressed together at the FIFA Club World Cup earlier this year in the United States.
“Some players give us balance,” said Guardiola. “We saw it at Aston Villa — too many creative players without structure can make us fragile. But both Phil and Rayan are learning fast. Their effort levels in Swansea were fantastic, and that’s what we need.”
The City boss added that while both players bring unique flair, they must maintain a minimum level of defensive discipline to ensure the team’s stability: “I don’t want them to change who they are — just to understand that creativity must coexist with control.”
What’s Next for Manchester City
Manchester City now face a tough run of fixtures against Bournemouth, Borussia Dortmund, and Liverpool within a week. Guardiola is expected to start both Foden and Cherki against Bournemouth, giving fans an early glimpse of what could become a key midfield partnership.
FAQ
Q: Why is Pep Guardiola experimenting with new midfield options?
A: The departure of Kevin De Bruyne has left a creative gap in City’s midfield. Guardiola is exploring combinations like Foden and Cherki to restore attacking balance and unpredictability.
Q: How has Rayan Cherki performed since joining Manchester City?
A: Despite an early injury, Cherki has shown flashes of brilliance — scoring on his Premier League debut and contributing a goal and assist in City’s recent Carabao Cup win.
Q: Will Cherki and Foden start together against Bournemouth?
A: It’s highly likely. Guardiola confirmed that it’s a “real option” and hinted at using both in creative roles for the upcoming fixture.
Conclusion
Pep Guardiola’s willingness to pair Rayan Cherki with Phil Foden could mark the beginning of a new creative era for Manchester City. As the champions navigate a crucial stretch of the season, their blend of youth, flair, and tactical discipline will determine whether they can maintain dominance without De Bruyne pulling the strings.
