{"id":105192,"date":"2026-04-12T14:20:26","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T17:20:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/we-always-want-cherki-in-the-final-third-says-pep\/"},"modified":"2026-04-12T14:20:58","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T17:20:58","slug":"we-always-want-cherki-in-the-final-third-says-pep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/we-always-want-cherki-in-the-final-third-says-pep\/","title":{"rendered":"We always want Cherki in the final third, says Pep"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Pep Guardiola has made it clear that he wants Rayan Cherki to do the bulk of his work as far up the pitch as possible.<\/p>\n

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The French attacking midfielder has been key to City\u2019s recent cup victories over Arsenal and Liverpool and appears to be growing into his role quickly in his first season at the Etihad Stadium.<\/p>\n

With nine goals and 11 assists across all competitions, the 22-year-old has adapted to English football and the particular demands of Guardiola.<\/p>\n

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Speaking in Friday\u2019s press conference before our trip to Chelsea this Sunday, Guardiola made it clear that he wants Cherki to remain as close to the opposition goal as possible, where his skill can do the most damage.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has the ability and quality in the final third,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why I sometimes say when they go to the goalkeeper for the ball I say no, I want you there in the final third.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey have something that I like a lot with attacking players, how they play with rhythms, accelerate, decelerate, accelerate, decelerate, then immediately attack then stop, then accelerate again.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese players have this ability to play with the rhythm of the opponents and the vision to make the extra pass, this is what defines the best.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The boss even went as far to compare Cherki\u2019s composure to that of club captain Bernardo Silva, who Guardiola has relied upon more than any other during his near 10-year reign at City.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s one of the most unbelievably talented players I\u2019ve ever seen and hopefully he can stay for longer because he has the attributes to be a top player,\u201d said Pep, speaking of Cherki.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe attributes he has are difficult to find, he\u2019s the same as Bernardo, in the difficult moments and under pressure, he acts like it\u2019s a friendly game, that it doesn\u2019t matter, and that\u2019s so difficult to find.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a manager and sporting director, it\u2019s one of the biggest attributes I\u2019d like to find in a player that the team signs.\u201d<\/p>\n

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