Manchester City great Sergio Aguero believes Rayan Cherki’s bold and instinctive approach to football could occasionally test Pep Guardiola’s patience, even as the Frenchman continues to establish himself as one of the club’s standout performers this season.
Since arriving from Lyon last summer, Cherki has quickly become one of the Premier League’s most talked-about attacking players.
His technical quality, confidence in possession and ability to produce moments of invention have made him a key figure for City, while his 23 goal contributions in 46 appearances across all competitions underline his growing influence.
The France international has drawn praise from across the football world for the refreshing unpredictability he brings to Guardiola’s side.
In an era where tactical structure often dominates modern football, Cherki has emerged as a player who still embraces spontaneity — a footballer who appears to thrive on instinct and imagination.
His style has often been described as reminiscent of the traditional playmakers of previous generations, players who relied on flair, improvisation and individual brilliance to unlock defences.
That freedom of expression is particularly striking given the tactical demands typically associated with Guardiola’s teams.
The City manager is renowned for his meticulous attention to positional discipline, movement and structure, making Cherki’s ability to retain his natural flair all the more notable.
Speaking to Stake, Aguero offered an honest assessment of the youngster’s development, praising his talent while acknowledging that his unconventional style can sometimes carry risks.
“Rayan Cherki needs to be careful with the way he plays but he makes Man City a better team,” Aguero said.
“Obviously he’s still missing some consistency, but he’s a different player. He has impressive qualities. Hopefully he takes the next step.”
Aguero highlighted the unpredictability that makes Cherki such a difficult player for defenders to handle, suggesting that his willingness to play without inhibition is central to his effectiveness.
“He plays in a very free way, without caring about anything, and that makes him different on the pitch.
“Knowing Pep, some of the things he does Pep probably doesn’t like, but Pep has understood that this is his natural way of playing. He doesn’t do it to show off, he does it to beat the opponent.”
The former Argentina striker’s comments capture the balancing act surrounding Cherki’s role at City.
On one hand, Guardiola’s philosophy is built on control — of possession, positioning and tempo.
On the other, elite teams often require players capable of disrupting patterns and creating something unexpected when systems alone are not enough.
Cherki has repeatedly shown that he can provide exactly that.
His close control, sharp changes of direction and confidence to attempt difficult passes or dribbles have added another dimension to City’s attack.
While Guardiola’s side has often relied on collective precision, Cherki offers moments of individual brilliance capable of unsettling even the most organised defences.
It is this unpredictability that has made him such an exciting addition to English football.
Guardiola’s challenge and Aguero’s warning
Aguero’s remarks also point to an important stage in Cherki’s development.
While the former City striker is clearly an admirer, he believes the young forward must learn when and where to take risks if he is to reach his full potential under Guardiola.
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Consistency remains the area where many young attacking players are judged most harshly, and Cherki is no exception.
The flashes of brilliance have been frequent, but sustaining those levels across an entire season — and within the demands of Guardiola’s tactical framework — will be the true measure of his progress.
Still, Aguero believes Guardiola has already shown an understanding of what makes the player special.
“As a player, I would tell him (Cherki) to be careful because there are always defenders who don’t care and will give you a strong kick,” Aguero warned.
“But in the meantime he enjoys it and above all, it ends up creating goals or goal-scoring chances. I love him; my son is driving me crazy asking for his shirt! The truth is he has made City a much better team.”
