The latest sublime performance from the mercurial Rayan Cherki helped secure Paulo Fonseca’s first win in charge of Lyon at the weekend, following the sacking of Pierre Sage.
Thumping Reims 4-0, man-of-the-match Cherki played a role in each of the four goals Lyon scored, and showcased the full range of his talents.
It was his jinking run that created the chance for Corentin Tolisso to cross for Nicolas Tagliafico's opener midway through the first half. An inch-perfect set-piece then gave Tolisso the simple task of heading Lyon's second, before Cherki added the third himself following a late surge into the box.
There was still time for another assist, his 11th of the season in all competitions. According to Opta, no player in Ligue 1 has created more goalscoring opportunities than the in-demand 21-year-old.
Tracked by Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund – who saw a bid for the player rejected in January – Fonseca will be grateful Lyon kept hold of their wonderkid as they push to secure European football for next season.
“We worked a lot with the new staff this week,” Cherki told Dazn after the morale-boosting victory. “It was a game controlled from start to finish. We must continue like this.
“I can't tell you the coach's secrets. He asks me to be myself, to try to play as I know how to, to make others play. This afternoon, we succeeded and I hope it will continue like this.”
It is not only at club level that Cherki finds himself in demand. Born in France to Algerian parents, Cherki is eligible to play for France, Algeria or Italy, through his grandparents.
One thing is for certain, the senior French side could benefit from Cherki’s creativity. Capped by Les Bleus at Under-21 level, the French-Algerian won a silver medal as part of the 2024 Paris Olympics team coached by Thierry Henry.
Despite having already scored 12 goals for the U21 side, he is yet to be called up by Didier Deschamps for the seniors.
According to RMC, an Italian delegation has contacted the player in the hope of convincing him to choose the Azzurri over his other options.
However, during the 'Canal Football Club' programme on Canal+ in December, journalist Margot Dumont suggested Cherki has all but chosen to represent Algeria to fulfil his mother’s dream of seeing him in the white and green of her homeland.
The possibility of losing Cherki caused an outcry in French football, piling pressure on Deschamps to secure the player.
With the March international break around six weeks away, there will be a lot of scrutiny of a player regarded by The New York Times as “arguably the best” graduate of Lyon’s celebrated academy.
A two-footed attacker who can operate on either wing or centrally, Cherki’s vision, technique and manipulation of the ball catch the eye – not to mention his close control, sensational dribbles and ability to evade pressure and operate in tight areas.
However, once considered an afterthought under previous manager Sage, Cherki’s talent has not always been nurtured at his boyhood club.
In an era where systems and footballing philosophies dominate, attacking mavericks such as Cherki can struggle to earn their freedom and the opportunity to demonstrate the full scope of their talent.
Previously criticised for being too individualistic, Fonseca believes the forward is now maturing. “Rayan has a lot of quality, all of football [in] Europe knows him well, I think he worked a lot defensively and has improved in this aspect for the team,” said the Portuguese coach.
“After that, he must better understand the space and the moments to do things. He is a very strong player. ”
Algerian new boys boosts Marseille
Should Cherki choose the country of his parents, he could end up playing for Algeria alongside two players who made late January switches to Lyon's Ligue 1 rivals Marseille.
Amine Gouiri and Ismael Bennacer, OM's newest recruits, produced excellent performances in a 2-0 victory over Angers on Sunday.
Gouiri provided two assists, increasing his tally to three assists and one goal in two matches for Roberto De Zerbi’s team.
Meanwhile, Bennacer’s presence in midfield has only served to strengthen a formidable unit that also comprises World Cup winner Adrien Rabiot and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
“The recruits? I'm very happy for Ismael Bennacer, it was as if he had been playing with us for two or three years,” said De Zerbi post-match.
“There was also a very good game by Amine Gouiri, a complete player, very strong, I don't know if he realises his potential.”
Hakimi commits to PSG
Marseille trail league leaders PSG by 10 points following the Parisians' 4-1 thrashing of Monaco at the weekend.
PSG were boosted pre-match by news that Moroccan international full-back Achraf Hakimi had extended his contract until 2029. Speaking to the club’s website, Hakimi listed his various motivations for staying.
“The first thing is the ambitious project we have here at the club,” he said. “Then there's the football that the coach has us playing, which I really like. And finally, there are still so many goals I want to achieve with Paris Saint-Germain.”
Hakimi didn’t play in the demolition of Monaco over the weekend but is expected to start the club’s Champions League match away to Brest on Tuesday night.
