- Chelsea lost to Man City on Sunday
- Rayan Cherki was heavily involved
- Ex-Blue Hazard full of praise
Former Premier League forward Eden Hazard has drawn a comparison between Rayan Cherki and Kevin De Bruyne after the Frenchman’s stunning display at Stamford Bridge.
Cherki was a central figure in City’s 3-0 Premier League victory against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, grabbing two assists in another superb display.
The French international has been excellent since arriving at the Etihad Stadium last summer, and so far has 10 goals and 14 assists for the club in all competitions.
Among those praising the 22-year-old was former Chelsea man Hazard, who was particularly impressed after watching Cherki play against his old side.
Eden Hazard says Cherki is ‘completely different’ to De Bruyne
Discussing Cherki’s ability, Hazard acknowledged the comparisons some have been drawing to another Premier League legend, Kevin de Bruyne, but argued that the two have very different qualities.
City icon De Bruyne played alongside Hazard as part of Belgium’s ‘golden generation’ of stars, which also included former Sky Blues captain Vincent Kompany.
On Cherki and De Bruyne, Hazard said: “Cherki is a player who’s completely different from Kevin De Bruyne; he’s more about dribbling, even though he knows how to make magnificent passes, he’s more focused on the individual play, the flair.
“Kevin is really the No. 10, maybe even deeper, who sees the game.”
#DECLA | Eden Hazard :
— Man City French Branch (@ManCityFrBranch) April 12, 2026
"Cherki est un joueur complément différent de Kevin de Bruyne, il est plus dans le dribble, même s'il sait faire des passes magnifiques, il est plus dans l'individuel, le beau geste. Kevin c'est vraiment le n°10, même peut-être plus bas, qui voit le jeu. – pic.twitter.com/y6TqdOUGu0
“They are different,” continued Hazard. “Will he be his successor? There won’t be another Kevin de Bruyne. He has to make a Cherki out of him and delight us every weekend.”
“Where Cherki is strong is that he dribbles with his head up, he sees the whole game. He’s a player who plays on instinct, he doesn’t think he makes the pass, that’s why he’s at this level now.”
Cherki has made a stellar start to life at Man City
In his first season at the club, Cherki’s quality has already been put beyond all possible doubt. Still only 22, he has become one of the first names on Pep Guardiola’s team sheet each week.
Another two assists on Sunday reaffirmed his importance, and the Frenchman’s ability to play almost anywhere in the attacking third has bee a tremendous benefit this season.
🚨🆕 10 passes décisives lors de leur première saison en Premier League avec @ManCity :
— Blue Moon (@FRBlueMoon) April 13, 2026
David Silva
Kevin De Bruyne
RAYAN CHERKI 🆕 pic.twitter.com/6cEVp6Wfpr
Cherki is already in esteemed company, having become only the third City player in the Premier League era to register 10 assists in their first season at the club.
The other two names on the list are De Bruyne and another club hero, David Silva. If Cherki can continue to find himself in conversations with those two, he will most likely remain a fan favourite at the Etihad.
Could Cherki become even better than De Bruyne?
While Hazard has talked about their differences, what Cherki and De Bruyne have in common is their importance to Man City.
De Bruyne was a talismanic figure who often carried Pep Guardiola’s side through difficult moments, and he was capable of winning games almost single-handedly.
Likewise, Cherki has become perhaps City’s most important player in recent weeks, and is central to everything good the Carabao Cup winners have done of late.
The young playmaker is only just starting his City career, but if he can maintain the level of performance he has been delivery, he may one day be held in the same regard as De Bruyne by fans.
