Pep Guardiola warns Rayan Cherki, using the Manchester City’s victory over Sunderland to underline the standards he expects from his squad. He delivered a pointed message to the Frenchman while publicly applauding Savinho for the way he reacted to earlier criticism.
The Manchester City manager has long emphasised that only players who fully commit to the team’s collective work will flourish under him, and at the Stadium of Light he made it clear that one of Brazil’s brightest young talents had taken that lesson on board.
A lively cameo from Savinho helped City maintain control late on, and Guardiola’s reaction made it obvious that the winger’s attitude—rather than just his skill—had caught his attention.
Savinho had frustrated his manager in the week after a performance at Fulham that included both a moment of brilliance and an error that enraged Guardiola.
The Catalan coach has rarely hesitated to single out areas that need improvement, especially in younger players, and Savinho was no exception. But the response the winger produced against Sunderland, Guardiola said, showed a clear shift in mentality.
Guardiola praises Savinho’s “machine” reaction
Speaking after the match, Guardiola said the 21-year-old had taken a significant step in understanding what City’s system demands.
The manager explained that while dribbling ability and creativity matter, the central non-negotiable in his teams is work rate—especially against the ball.
“Savinho is going to play a lot of minutes. They know the secret of the team and after the quality of Savinho and the quality of Rayan I don’t care, but they have do the things to make the team stable and try and try.
“That’s why Bernardo runs all the time, and Phil runs all the time, and Jeremy is improving a lot. That is the key,” Guardiola said in his post match interview
Guardiola’s philosophy has barely changed across his managerial career: quality opens the door, but intensity keeps it open. In his eyes, City’s success over the years has come from technical stars who work relentlessly without the ball.
Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden are prime examples—world-class talents who contribute defensively nearly as much as they do in attack.
Savinho’s entrance against Sunderland showed he had heard the message. City were already in control when he came on, but Guardiola watched closely as the winger pressed, chased, and recovered possession with a sense of urgency he felt had been missing days earlier.
“Today, I was incredibly pleased for the 15-20 minutes of Savinho. Two actions where he lost the ball he was a machine.
“He doesn’t like to listen but I had to tell him. Because the incredible cross [at Fulham] could have been 6-2 or 6-3 but we lost the ball and you have to work. You come from the bench, you have to run double because the other guys are tired.”
Savinho’s reaction—sprinting to win back possession immediately after losing it—was precisely what Guardiola had been waiting for.
The manager has often spoken about the mental shift required to play for City, where attackers are expected to defend with the same hunger as the back line.
“Today he has done it three times like a machine. Savinho is going to play a lot of minutes. He’s going to play with us.”
The message was emphatic: the winger’s development is on the right path, and minutes will follow if the attitude remains consistent.
Warning to Cherki as City competition intensifies
While Savinho earned praise, Guardiola warns Rayan Cherki with his comment. Cherki has been adapting to life under a coach known for high tactical detail and intense physical demands.
- Rayan Cherki sends message to Man City fans after his wonderful Rabona assist
- Man City 3-0 Sunderland: Guardiola reveals what City special player must learn from Messi
The mention of both players in the same breath was no accident. Guardiola regularly uses media appearances to send reminders to the dressing room, and this time the implication was clear: talent alone will not be enough.
Cherki arrived with high expectations and clear creative flair, but the French midfielder is still learning the defensive discipline Guardiola requires.
City’s structure relies heavily on off-ball organisation, and while Cherki’s technical gifts are evident, Guardiola is still pushing for greater consistency without the ball.
By highlighting Savinho’s attitude shift, Guardiola was indirectly setting the benchmark for every attacker in the squad—including Cherki. In essence, if Savinho can adapt quickly, others must do the same.