Rayan Cherki has climbed into The Athletic’s top 10 Premier League players after an excellent start to the season with City.
The 23-year-old has moved up six places from 16th to 10th in the latest ranking, putting him alongside two of his City teammates near the top of the list.
Cherki earns more praise after Man City start
Cherki came off the bench to set up both goals in City’s late comeback against Bournemouth on the opening weekend, then scored twice in the 4-1 win at Crystal Palace.
He added another against Sunderland on Sunday and The Athletic now describes him as the league’s most “mercurial and purely talented” player, although it also points to the occasional inconsistency in his game.
It’s not the first time his talent has been discussed this week.
The Times asked whether Cherki might be the most talented player in the Premier League, while the midfielder has also caught the eye of new France boss Zinedine Zidane during the international break.
Cherki was used alongside Adrien Rabiot and Lucas Da Cunha in a midfield three during Zidane’s early work with the France squad.
He’s also got plenty of City company in The Athletic’s top 10. Erling Haaland remains at No.1, while £116m summer signing Elliot Anderson has climbed six places to fourth.
Cherki completes City’s top-three presence in 10th after only five Premier League games under Maresca.
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