A maverick untamed? Why Cherki splits opinion

Wembley has seen many show-stoppers, but few have divided opinion quite like Rayan Cherki’s cameo in the Carabao Cup final. The 22-year-old Frenchman juggled the ball under the arch, winked at the crowd after being fouled by Arsenal’s Ben White, then shoved Pep Guardiola at the full-time whistle before sprinting off to celebrate with his Manchester City team-mates. Supporters hailed the freestyle interlude as a breath of fresh air; critics called it an insult to the professional game.

City Xtra contributor Freddie Pye told BBC Sport the midfielder “plays with freedom and shuts down the notion that players at City are restricted,” while former Manchester United captain Gary Neville branded the behaviour “arrogant” and ex-Premier League boss Alan Pardew labelled it “an insult in the pro game.” Guardiola, arms folded on the touchline, shook his head in apparent disapproval.

The episode crystallised the paradox of Cherki: a £30 million recruit from Lyon who insists street-football flair is “in my DNA and I’ll never change that.” Every touch at the Etihad draws a collective intake of breath; every trick risks the wrath of his manager. In December, Guardiola rebuked the youngster for a rabona assist against Sunderland, warning that such audacity would land him “in trouble” if the execution faltered.

Yet the numbers argue for indulgence. Eight Premier League assists, all from open play, 15 big chances created and 21 through-balls leave Cherki second only to Bruno Fernandes in each category. Brought in to succeed Kevin De Bruyne, he has eased the creative burden while compiling a social-media-ready catalogue of flicks and no-look passes.

Team-mates are effusive. Kylian Mbappé calls Cherki’s talent a “gift,” Bernardo Silva describes him as “special,” and Phil Foden simply says he is “unique.” Guardiola, publicly at least, ranks the Frenchman among the most gifted players he has coached.

Still, doubters remain. After Cherki featured in France’s recent friendly win over Colombia, World Cup-winner Christophe Dugarry fumed: “What is this player who can afford to stop when he loses the ball? Stop talking about Cherki like that. He needs consistency.”

Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool offers another stage for the maverick. Last summer Cherki met with Arne Slot about a potential move to Anfield, only for the Reds to pursue Florian Wirtz for £116 million, allowing City to secure their man for a quarter of the price. Early returns suggest City landed the bargain; Cherki will be eager to underline the point against the side that opted for his German rival.

Whether Guardiola can fully harness the chaos, or whether the chaos will occasionally spill beyond control, remains the season’s most compelling subplot. For now, the Frenchman continues to delight and infuriate in equal measure, a walking highlight reel who answers to no playbook but his own.