In an age where football feels more like a science than an art, players who rely on instinct and creativity have become rare.
Tactical precision and physical endurance now rule the pitch — a far cry from the unpredictable, expressive play that once defined the sport.
Yet, every so often, a player comes along to remind everyone of football’s soul.
That’s exactly what Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki represents — a refreshing throwback to a freer, more imaginative style of play.
He’s not your modern, statistics-driven forward. Instead, he’s an artist on the ball, someone who sees the game differently.
And maybe that’s why Pep Guardiola couldn’t resist spending £31 million to bring him from Lyon to the Etihad this summer.
Pep Guardiola’s Search for Football’s Creative Spark
It’s no secret that Guardiola has been quietly frustrated with football’s increasing reliance on data and structure.
Sources close to the City manager say he’s been telling friends that “nobody plays off the cuff anymore.”
So when City signed Cherki, it all started to make sense — Pep wanted a little unpredictability back in his team.
Cherki hasn’t yet played a full Premier League match, partly because of an injury setback.
Guardiola explained after City’s defeat to Aston Villa that his decisions around Cherki’s selection go beyond raw talent.
“Balance,” Pep said, remains his biggest concern — especially when fitting multiple creative players like Cherki and Phil Foden into one lineup.
Foden and Cherki Bring City’s Attack to Life
When City faced Bournemouth, Guardiola decided to roll the dice.
With Tijjani Reijnders not fit enough to start, both Cherki and Foden were included — and the gamble paid off beautifully.
Cherki ended the match with two assists, Foden added one, and together they orchestrated all three of City’s goals in an exhilarating display.
Bournemouth’s manager Andoni Iraola summed it up perfectly: “Cherki and Foden play one touch, bam bam.
Against Haaland, if you lose one metre, you’re not recovering.” His words captured the energy that pulsed through City’s play — fluid, instinctive, and dangerous.
Foden, meanwhile, hit a milestone of his own, becoming the youngest City player to reach 200 Premier League appearances.
He’s evolving, not just as a goal threat, but as the creative link connecting City’s attacks from deeper positions.
That shift could be what allows Guardiola to field both him and Cherki together more often.
Signs of a Promising Partnership
Between them, Foden and Cherki created five chances and directly combined for two goals.
Their second link-up — finished off by Nico O’Reilly — showed how seamlessly they can read each other’s movement. It wasn’t flawless, but it was electric.
After a tough start to the season, City’s dressing room felt a bit lighter too.
The squad had organised a cheeky Halloween party titled “I Know What You Did Last Season” — a nod to their standards slipping last year.
But on the pitch, this was a glimpse of the old City rhythm returning, driven by players unafraid to express themselves.
Guardiola’s Praise and Caution for Cherki
“Rayan’s vision in the final third is so good — his consistency, his courage to play,” Guardiola said after the match.
Still, Pep made it clear the young Frenchman has more to learn about the rhythm of the Premier League.
A few risky turnovers in the second half showed he’s still adjusting.
But there’s no denying Cherki’s special gift. His connection with teammates up front is something Guardiola called “unique.”
The stats back it up — Cherki had 20 assists for Lyon last season, topping Europe’s major leagues for assists, expected assists, shot-creating actions, and progressive passes per 90 minutes.
The Crowd’s Standing Ovation
When Guardiola substituted Cherki with 17 minutes left, the Etihad rose to its feet.
It was a warm ovation for a player who dares to take risks, who plays with flair instead of fear.
His 85 percent pass completion wasn’t just efficient — it reflected how many bold, defense-splitting passes he attempted.
These kinds of mavericks are becoming rare in football.
They connect fans to the emotion of the game — the reason people still fill stadiums on cold weekends.
If City can nurture Cherki’s talent without dulling his creativity, they might just spark a small revolution in English football.