- Guardiola spoke to press before City face Everton
- Win moves City to within three points of Arsenal
- Manager asked if Rayan Cherki is ‘typical’ Guardiola player
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says he does not have ‘typical players’ after being asked whether Rayan Cherki fits the usual City mould.
Guardiola was speaking ahead of his side’s vital Monday night fixture against Everton, which could be crucial in the title race.
City trail leaders Arsenal by six points, with two games in hand over the Gunners. They cannot afford to drop points at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, though, with every match now crucial.
The Sky Blues have clawed their way back into title contention with a run of three straight Premier League wins.
Rayan Cherki has been central to those wins, even attracting praise from Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes.
However, it’s been suggested that the young French star is not the type of player that usually excels in a Guardiola system.
Pep Guardiola backs Rayan Cherki over ‘typical player’ question
Speaking in his pre-match press conference via Beanyman Sports, the City boss responded to suggestions that Cherki was not a ‘typical Guardiola player’.
Guardiola argued that he does not have a ‘typical’ player type, and good players will always flourish.
Guardiola said: “Good question! What is my typical player? [Ilkay Gundogan] Yeah, give me another. [Lionel Messi] Yeah…
“I don’t have typical players, as much as they love to play. If he’s not my typical player, it’s not bad for the first season what he’s doing. I don’t believe in that. There are good players, and not good players. Strong here [in the mind], and not strong.
“If you’re a good player and strong here, you can play in all teams, the big teams in the world, and normally big teams are guided by the top, top managers. So of course he can play, it’s my style, my type. All the players I have here are my type of players, all of them.”
Rayan Cherki has been phenomenal for Man City so far
Since arriving from Lyon last summer for around £40 million, Cherki has become one of City’s most potent attacking weapons.
The 22-year-old has 10 goals and 13 assists in all competitions, and has only got better as he’s settled into life at the Etihad Stadium.
If he continues to develop at his current rate, he will be regarded as one of the best attackers in the world very soon – if he isn’t already.
Is Cherki Man City’s Player of the Season?
In terms of numbers, Cherki is among City’s top performers this season. His 13 assists in all competitions put him second to only Jeremy Doku, who has 14.
Top scorer Erling Haaland is the only player with more goals than Cherki’s 10, and the Frenchman’s contribution in general play and build-up has been huge.
There are a few contenders for City’s Player of the Season award, but it would be incredibly hard to argue against Cherki taking the prize.
