The breakthrough performance everyone was waiting for
Rayan Cherki's first Champions League start for Manchester City couldn't have come in a more demanding environment. Away at the Bernabéu, facing Real Madrid in a crucial knockout tie, deployed on the right wing rather than his preferred central role—every element pointed toward a difficult evening for the 21-year-old French international. Instead, he delivered exactly the kind of performance that justifies City's decision to sign him from Lyon last summer. The technical quality was always there, but Wednesday night showed something more important: the mentality and tactical intelligence to thrive at this level.
The English press has taken notice. The Daily Mail awarded him a 7/10 rating, noting how "he offered better protection to Nunes as the match progressed" while acknowledging he "could have been more clinical with some counter-attacking opportunities." That balanced assessment reflects what actually happened—a player still adapting but clearly capable of contributing in high-pressure matches. The Manchester Evening News went further, declaring that "Manchester City may have finally found their next Riyad Mahrez after the victory over Real Madrid."
Technical brilliance meets tactical discipline
What stood out wasn't just Cherki's obvious technical ability—the nutmeg on Toni Rüdiger, the audacious chip over Álvaro Carreras that left both Madrid defenders bewildered. Those moments of individual quality are expected from someone with his Lyon pedigree. What impressed observers was how he balanced attacking threat with defensive responsibility. Playing alongside Matheus Nunes, who isn't a natural fullback, Cherki consistently tracked back to help when Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo threatened City's right flank.
The Manchester Evening News highlighted his "warrior mentality," describing how he "came to the Spanish capital and rose to the challenge" in ways that suggested genuine adaptation rather than isolated moments of brilliance. His delivery for the equalizer—a "pinpoint corner"—and multiple efforts that tested Thibaut Courtois demonstrated decision-making under pressure. This wasn't a player overwhelmed by the occasion or the opposition. This was someone comfortable operating at Champions League level against elite defenders in a hostile stadium.
That balance between flair and functionality matters. Cherki's best moments at Lyon often came in flashes—spectacular skill followed by periods where he'd drift out of games or struggle with consistency. At the Bernabéu, he maintained involvement throughout, contributing defensively when needed while never abandoning his attacking instincts. That's the kind of maturity Pep Guardiola demands from wide players, especially in matches where defensive organization determines outcomes as much as attacking quality.
The Mahrez comparison gaining traction
The comparison to Riyad Mahrez isn't casual flattery—it reflects genuine similarities in playing style and technical profile. "Cherki is perhaps only rivaled by Phil Foden for whose touch comes closest to Mahrez's perfection," wrote the Manchester Evening News, before adding that Wednesday's performance showed "that warrior mentality that made the winger so endeared to Guardiola." The publication described his audacity in taking on Madrid's defenders, noting it's "rare for home players to be met with such boldness from their opponents."
Mahrez left City in 2023, and replacing his specific skill set—left-footed creativity from the right wing, ability to beat defenders one-on-one, composure in decisive moments—has been an ongoing challenge. Various players have rotated through that position without truly making it their own. Cherki's performance suggests he might finally be emerging as the natural successor to that role, even if his pathway to regular starts has required patience and adaptation to English football's physical demands.
The English media's enthusiasm reflects genuine progress in his integration. His "surgical precision in delivering a corner" for City's equalizer and ability to "put Courtois to the test on several occasions" demonstrated composure that often takes young players months or years to develop at this level. These weren't hopeful efforts or half-chances—they were genuine goal-scoring opportunities created through intelligent movement and technical execution.
Rapid adaptation to Guardiola's demands
What makes Cherki's progress noteworthy is the speed of his adaptation. Guardiola's tactical system demands specific understanding of positioning, pressing triggers, and spatial awareness that typically requires extended adjustment periods. Players arrive at City with impressive credentials and spend months learning to operate within Guardiola's framework before earning consistent starts. Cherki's growing involvement—"increasingly fielded from the start by Pep Guardiola"—suggests he's absorbing those lessons faster than expected.
His first start in the Champions League came in arguably the most difficult possible context. Not just the opposition or venue, but the tactical assignment: playing out of his natural position while providing defensive cover for a teammate still learning his own role. That Cherki managed to contribute both offensively and defensively without looking out of place speaks to his football intelligence and work rate. These are qualities that determine whether talented young players become regular contributors or remain squad options deployed only in favorable circumstances.
The Manchester Evening News noted he's "gradually progressing without skipping steps"—a crucial observation about how City are managing his development. Rather than throwing him into starting lineups immediately and hoping natural talent compensates for tactical unfamiliarity, Guardiola has been methodical. Substitute appearances, starts in less demanding fixtures, and now a Champions League assignment against elite opposition. Each step has prepared him for the next, and Wednesday's performance validated that approach.
What the English press sees in him
The unanimous praise from English media reflects more than just one strong performance. It's recognition that Cherki possesses qualities Premier League football values: technical skill combined with work rate, individual brilliance balanced by tactical discipline, confidence without arrogance. His "spectacular style of play leaves a mark," as one outlet noted, suggesting he's the type of player who makes matches entertaining while contributing to winning football.
That combination matters in England's football culture, which respects technical ability but demands it comes packaged with competitive edge and consistent effort. Cherki's willingness to track back, his defensive contributions alongside Nunes, his persistence in attacking situations—these elements resonated with observers accustomed to judging players on complete performances rather than highlight-reel moments alone.
The fact that multiple publications used similar language—"warrior mentality," "rising to the challenge," "surgical precision"—suggests genuine consensus about what they witnessed. This wasn't one journalist making a reach for an eye-catching headline. It was collective recognition that a young player took a significant step forward in his development, performing with maturity beyond his age and experience at this level.
The path forward
Cherki's rapid integration into City's system, culminating in this Bernabéu performance, represents exactly what the club hoped for when signing him from Lyon. Not instant stardom or immediate transformation into a regular starter, but steady progress and growing confidence that suggests bigger contributions ahead. The English press fascination reflects optimism that City have found someone capable of thriving in Guardiola's demanding tactical environment while providing the creativity and unpredictability their attack sometimes lacks.
His journey from Lyon—where inconsistency overshadowed obvious talent—to becoming someone English football writers compare favorably to Mahrez shows adaptation in action. "To the delight of spectators and City fans, of course," as noted in match reports, Cherki is becoming the kind of player who makes matches compelling while helping his team win. That's the standard at this level, and Wednesday night at the Bernabéu demonstrated he's meeting it faster than many expected.
