Pep Guardiola's Rayan Cherki Dilemma: Manchester City's Tactical Conundrum
Team selections have proven to be a particularly thorny issue for Pep Guardiola in recent days. This is nothing new, as Manchester City's manager always pays close attention to naysayers online, especially those who offer hindsight-driven criticism.
Guardiola's Social Media Stance and Tactical Insight
Guardiola keeps a keen eye on narratives, suggesting on Friday that he had read contempt for his starting line-up at Newcastle United before then claiming he does not use social media directly. Instead, he has offending tweets or punditry fed to him by club officials.
Whichever of those statements is accurate is ultimately irrelevant. Guardiola generally makes a pertinent point that nobody else observes his players train every day or knows precisely how they are feeling. Of this generation, there is not a coach that comes near him, and he has suggested that tactical tweaks influencing victories are often overlooked as the norm.
He is right about all of those things. However, he must be racking his brain as to how City can fit Rayan Cherki into this team because yet again there were two versions of them on Saturday: one with him and the other without. For sheer weight of chances and danger, there was only one winner.
The Curious Case of Rayan Cherki's Limited Starts
That Cherki has started only two of the last six Premier League games while City operate in a system that should suit him perfectly does feel somewhat curious. This is even more so when faced with low defensive blocks, especially given his significant impact at West Ham.
Guardiola reasoned why he cannot offer Cherki, whom he described as undoubtedly the team's best in the danger pockets of space around Erling Haaland, a more regular start. 'It's for the balance,' he said. 'With Erling, Cherki, Jeremy Doku, we are unbalanced. We need stability. I love to play with Rayan. His impact is unbelievable.'
'He doesn't always have the speed like Antoine Semenyo or Nico O'Reilly, arriving in the box. I'm finding the best way to have the stability and consistency in the team,' Guardiola added. He is still working his way through all of these new signings, but Cherki's ability is undeniable.
Cherki's Immediate Impact Against West Ham
Within seconds of entering the field on the hour mark, Cherki had already slipped Haaland in, forcing Mads Hermansen into smartly tipping the ball past the post. It was the first time a forlorn Haaland had breached the home defence all night.
A tricky run and shot forced a corner shortly after, in two moments that indicated the Frenchman had done more to influence this game in three minutes than many others had for the sixty beforehand. City were revived, with a freshness to their play and somebody willing to take responsibility and dictate proceedings.
Cherki went close with a half-volley, producing another good save. Really, Guardiola's side ought to have won this game. While it does not necessarily spell the end of their title aspirations, it leaves them requiring Arsenal to slip up more than anybody truly envisages.
The Statistical and Strategic Argument for Cherki
They ought to have won the game because of the injection Cherki gave them, on a par with the league's leader Bruno Fernandes on the assists per ninety minutes metric. Given their position in the title race and the upcoming Champions League last-sixteen tie on Tuesday, Guardiola might just want to unleash him now.
The strange thing is, the box midfield ought to suit either him or Phil Foden, neither of whom have been picked for the most important games in recent weeks. 'He may be tougher than other coaches but he loves all the players,' Cherki said of his manager. 'We have a good relationship. We laugh and talk often.'
'He's tough on me. I'm tough on him too: it's important to me. When I'm on the bench, I'm not happy and he knows it. There are times when I get annoyed, times when I want to hug him. It's normal,' Cherki added.
Guardiola's Exasperation and the Path Forward
The pair are often seen having animated debriefs on the pitch after games, most notably after winning at the Bernabeu in December. One senses Guardiola will relish attempting to get the most out of such a gifted footballer if he stays at the Etihad Stadium beyond this season.
For now, though, there are few others offering such a threat in the final third. Guardiola made his exasperation with the attackers obvious in the aftermath of defeat at Real Madrid and the same at the London Stadium. He is clear in the belief that they are not making the correct runs, and the building phase before the last bit is rendered pointless.
Haaland is too often on his heels, not darting to the front or back post. Others are squandering chances or not meeting crosses with enough gumption. This will irk Guardiola more than any galling Gianluigi Donnarumma error.
'Unfortunately we didn't score enough goals, and that punished us this season,' he said. 'We have to be better in the final third. It happened in many, many games.' The sooner Guardiola can find that balance to harness Cherki, the better for Manchester City's title hopes and overall performance.
