Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has explained his decision to continue leaving Rayan Cherki out of the starting line-up, despite the French midfielder’s remarkable talent and creative influence since arriving at the club.
Cherki joined City from Lyon during the summer transfer window and quickly built a reputation as one of the most technically gifted players in the squad.
Known for his flair, vision and ability to unlock defences, the young Frenchman has already produced a series of impressive performances.
Even with limited minutes on the pitch, he has managed to register more assists than any other City player this season, highlighting the attacking threat he brings whenever he plays.
However, Guardiola insists that team balance remains his main concern. According to the City boss, deploying Cherki alongside winger Jeremy Doku and striker Erling Haaland in the same starting line-up has previously caused tactical issues that left the team exposed.
City have endured a mixed run of results recently, including a 1–1 draw with West Ham United that frustrated both the players and supporters.
The stalemate came only days after a difficult 3–0 defeat against Real Madrid in European competition. In both matches Cherki remained on the bench, a decision that sparked debate among fans who believe the creative midfielder could help unlock stubborn defences.
Despite those calls for Cherki to feature more regularly from the start, Guardiola maintained that his selection decisions are guided by the need for stability, particularly in the demanding environment of the Premier League.
The Spanish manager explained that earlier in the season City experimented with a highly attacking setup that included Haaland, Doku and Cherki together. While the combination offered attacking quality, Guardiola felt it weakened the overall structure of the side.
“We learned at the beginning playing with Erling [Haaland], Jeremy [Doku], with Cherki that we are incredibly unbalanced. We didn’t have the stability that the teams in the Premier League have to have.”
Guardiola suggested that the league’s intensity and tactical demands require teams to maintain strong defensive organisation as well as attacking threat.
For him, the challenge has been to build a side capable of controlling matches consistently, rather than relying solely on moments of creativity.
“That’s why I tried to handle for that. That’s why it’s a team that’s growing; I think from the beginning, we’ve grown a lot. But it’s still not finished business.”
City have been in a period of tactical adjustment as Guardiola continues to refine the balance of the squad. Injuries, rotation and new signings have all played a role in shaping the team’s evolving approach. While Cherki’s individual ability is widely recognised, the manager believes the collective structure must come first.
Cherki’s impact from the bench
Although Cherki has not always been part of the starting XI, Guardiola was quick to stress that he values the player highly. The manager pointed out that the midfielder has frequently made a strong impact when introduced later in matches.
“I will not be the one to say that I don’t love to play with Rayan [Cherki]. Especially when he comes from the bench, always the impact is unbelievable.”
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Cherki’s creativity and ability to operate in tight spaces have often changed the tempo of games when City needed inspiration. His dribbling and passing can open up defensive lines, making him a dangerous option when opponents begin to tire.
Guardiola also highlighted other tactical considerations influencing his selection decisions. In recent matches he has preferred a different type of winger, players who offer work rate, defensive discipline and movement into the penalty area.
“But sometimes he does not have the speed; the team was stable when Antoine Semenyo and Nico O’Reilly play in the winger positions and then come inside, arrive to the box – they were really, really good.”
Those qualities, Guardiola suggested, help maintain the team’s shape and allow City to control matches more effectively. By contrast, a more attack-minded lineup can sometimes leave gaps that opponents exploit.
Despite that, the manager emphasised that his search for the right balance is ongoing. As the season progresses, he continues to experiment with different combinations to achieve the consistency required to compete at the highest level.
“I’m still finding the best way to have stability consistently as a team.”
