Rayan Cherki is quickly becoming one of the most exciting creative forces at Manchester City. The French forward produced another outstanding display as City beat Crystal Palace 4-1 at Selhurst Park on Saturday (29/8/2026), scoring twice in a performance that earned huge praise from Jamie Redknapp.
Cherki was at the heart of Manchester City’s attacking display. After providing two assists against Bournemouth in the opening Premier League fixture, the No. 10 followed that performance with another decisive contribution against Palace.
This time, his name appeared twice on the scoresheet.
The first goal was particularly impressive. Cherki weaved his way through several Palace defenders before calmly finding the corner of the net.
For Redknapp, it was more than just a good goal. He described the finish as a masterpiece and highlighted the unusual technical ability that makes Cherki such an entertaining player to watch.
Jamie Redknapp Calls Cherki a Genius
Cherki’s first goal immediately caught Redknapp’s attention.
The former Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder praised the Frenchman’s ability to carry the ball through tight spaces before producing an accurate finish.
“Rayan Cherki painted a masterpiece,” Redknapp told Sky Sports.
The goal reminded Redknapp of another type of attacking player who could seemingly escape defenders in impossible situations.
“I think Eden Hazard might be able to do something like that. He’s that type of player, with a low centre of gravity, then somehow he can sneak the ball into the corner,” Redknapp said.
Cherki’s close control and balance allow him to change direction quickly. That makes it difficult for defenders to predict his next move, particularly when he receives the ball in crowded areas.
His second goal against Crystal Palace added another important moment to an already impressive performance.
Cherki Reminds Man City Fans of Georgi Kinkladze
Redknapp also drew a comparison between Cherki and former Manchester City favourite Georgi Kinkladze.
Kinkladze was renowned for his ability to beat opponents with remarkable close control, particularly when operating in confined spaces.
“Manchester City fans from another generation will remember Kinkladze. He could get past players in a phone box and this is very similar,” Redknapp explained.
The comparison is significant because Kinkladze remains remembered by City supporters for his flair and individual brilliance.
For Redknapp, Cherki possesses that same type of freedom and unpredictability.
“Cherki is a beautiful player,” he added.
Redknapp went even further by calling the Frenchman a “genius” and arguing that Manchester City should allow him enough freedom to express his natural ability.
Why Cherki Needs Freedom to Express Himself
One of the biggest talking points surrounding Cherki is how much tactical freedom he should receive.
Modern football places significant emphasis on structure. Players are often expected to maintain their positions, especially when their team loses possession.
Redknapp believes that approach can sometimes restrict players with extraordinary individual ability.
“With players like Cherki, you have to accept his freedom. He’s a slightly maverick talent. You have to let him do what he can do,” Redknapp said.
For a player whose biggest strengths include dribbling, improvisation and creativity, freedom can be particularly important.
Cherki does not always need to follow the most predictable route. His value comes partly from being able to create something unexpected when defenders believe they have controlled the situation.
Redknapp Wants Cherki to Take More Risks
Redknapp also pointed to Cherki’s impact during Manchester City’s opening match against Bournemouth.
Cherki came off the bench in that game and produced two assists as City responded during a difficult period.
Against Crystal Palace, he took another step forward by scoring twice.
Those performances have strengthened the argument that Cherki should be trusted to take risks rather than being restricted by instructions that could limit his attacking instincts.
Redknapp believes the 22-year-old should be encouraged to use his dribbling ability more frequently.
“Personally, I feel because he’s so good at dribbling in tight spaces, he should do it more often,” Redknapp said.
That quality could become particularly valuable when Manchester City face opponents who defend deep and leave little space for conventional attacking combinations.
His Ability With Both Feet Makes Cherki Difficult to Stop
Another quality that makes Cherki unpredictable is his ability to use both feet.
For defenders, facing a player who strongly favours one side can sometimes make defending easier. They can anticipate the direction the attacker is likely to choose.
Cherki offers a different problem.
“He can use his left and right foot. There are players where when you face them, you know they automatically want to go to the right. But with him, you don’t know how to stop him,” Redknapp explained.
That unpredictability gives Cherki an advantage in one-on-one situations.
If he can continue combining that skill with his decision-making and finishing, he could become an increasingly important attacking weapon for Manchester City.
Manchester City Also Value Cherki’s Work Without the Ball
While Redknapp focused heavily on Cherki’s creativity, the team’s assessment of his performance went beyond his two goals.
The coaching staff were particularly pleased with his contribution when Manchester City did not have possession.
“His performance for me was very good, not because of the two goals, but because of the way he worked without the ball,” said Maresca.
Cherki was asked to press, contribute defensively and take responsibility when Crystal Palace had possession.
He was also given specific defensive responsibilities involving Adam Wharton.
That aspect of his performance could be just as important as his attacking numbers.
A creative player who can contribute consistently without the ball gives a team greater tactical flexibility.
Cherki’s Start to the Premier League Season
Cherki’s first two Premier League appearances have already produced an impressive statistical contribution.
His early impact includes:
- Two assists against Bournemouth
- Two goals against Crystal Palace
- Four direct goal contributions across his opening two league matches
- Strong individual displays in both games
- A growing reputation as a creative threat
The numbers underline how quickly Cherki has adapted to his role.
More importantly, his performances have shown different sides of his game. Against Bournemouth, he influenced the match through assists. Against Palace, he became the finisher.
That versatility could prove valuable throughout the campaign.
A Player Manchester City Can Build Around?
Maresca also praised Cherki’s overall performance rather than focusing solely on his goals.
“First, he loves football, so it’s much easier to work with him. And then, yes, Rayan is like this. We know how good he is, we know the quality he has,” he said.
The manager believes Cherki can contribute even more in the future.
For now, the Frenchman is already producing goals and assists, but his potential appears to extend beyond those numbers.
His technical ability, creativity and willingness to take on defenders give Manchester City another dimension in attack.
Cherki’s Brilliance Could Become a Major Asset
Rayan Cherki’s brace against Crystal Palace was another strong indication of what he can offer Manchester City.
His ability to beat defenders in tight spaces, use either foot and produce unexpected solutions makes him difficult to contain.
At the same time, his willingness to work without the ball gives his performances a more complete dimension.
The biggest challenge may now be finding the right balance between tactical structure and individual freedom.
If Cherki is given enough room to express himself while maintaining the defensive responsibilities expected at the highest level, Manchester City could have a particularly dangerous creative player on their hands.
After two assists in the opening game and two goals against Crystal Palace, Cherki has certainly made an early statement.
And if Jamie Redknapp is right, Manchester City supporters may want to see even more of the Frenchman’s individual brilliance as the season progresses.
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