Rayan Cherki can be a Pep Guardiola player after all: ‘Free soul’ is overcoming individualistic reputation to earn Man City manager’s trust

Rayan Cherki’s footballing journey has always been about potential — raw, dazzling, unpredictable potential. Since emerging from Lyon’s academy as a prodigy with flair beyond his years, Cherki has been both celebrated and questioned. Could he channel his talent into consistency? Could he fit into a system without losing the artistry that makes him special? Those questions have followed him for years. But now, under Pep Guardiola’s watchful eye at Manchester City, Cherki might finally be answering them.

When Guardiola signed Cherki last summer, it raised more than a few eyebrows. The Frenchman’s reputation was that of a “free soul” — immensely gifted, but often guilty of prioritizing expression over efficiency. Pep’s system, famously intricate and disciplined, seemed like an odd match. City’s game thrives on precision and positional intelligence, while Cherki had built his name on improvisation and flair. Yet, as the months have passed, something remarkable has begun to happen: the free soul is learning to flow within structure.

Guardiola has always been a master at refining creativity rather than suppressing it. From Ronaldinho’s influence on his coaching philosophy to shaping mavericks like Jack Grealish and João Cancelo into system players, Pep knows that artistry and order can coexist. With Cherki, the project feels similar — to teach him when to improvise, when to simplify, and when to let instinct take over. And the early signs are promising.

In recent appearances, Cherki has started to show the balance Pep demands. The flicks and dribbles are still there, but they now come with purpose. His movement off the ball — once criticized as lazy — has improved drastically. He’s pressing with intent, recycling possession intelligently, and, most importantly, learning how to affect games even when he’s not on the ball. Guardiola reportedly told close staff that Cherki is “starting to understand what we’re doing,” a quiet but significant endorsement.

What’s helped most is Pep’s trust in players who think differently. Cherki has been given creative freedom in controlled doses — often deployed as a false winger or central playmaker in the “half-space.” This positioning allows him to drift between lines, read the rhythm of the game, and make those unpredictable bursts that unsettle rigid defenses. It’s a compromise between freedom and function, and it’s working.

Teammates, too, have begun to take notice. Sources inside City’s training camp say Cherki has become more vocal, more integrated, less isolated. Bernardo Silva, known for his footballing intelligence, has reportedly taken the young Frenchman under his wing, helping him grasp the nuances of Guardiola’s positional play. The result? A player still capable of magic, but now aware of when to perform it.

The transformation isn’t just tactical; it’s psychological. At Lyon, Cherki was often seen as a player trying to prove himself with every touch — eager to show he could be the difference. At City, surrounded by world-class teammates, that pressure has eased. He doesn’t have to be the star; he just has to be part of the constellation. That shift has unlocked a calmer, more mature side of his game. His decision-making is cleaner, his confidence quieter but stronger.

Pep, for his part, has handled him with the patience he reserves for special talents. He’s given Cherki minutes in domestic cups, eased him into Premier League matches, and even trusted him with late Champions League cameos. After a standout performance against Brentford — where Cherki registered an assist and created multiple chances — Guardiola publicly praised his “courage and clarity,” a clear signal that the relationship is growing stronger.

It’s easy to forget that Cherki is still only 21. The expectations that trailed him from France were immense, and many doubted whether he could adapt to the tactical demands of elite European football. But at City, surrounded by structure and mentorship, he’s proving that discipline and creativity aren’t opposites — they’re partners. The “free soul” hasn’t been caged; he’s been given direction.

Football has a habit of labelling players too early. For years, Cherki was dismissed as a YouTube player — all highlights, no substance. But those who’ve watched him closely at City see a different story unfolding: a young man refining his craft, learning to think the game rather than just play it. Guardiola’s influence has turned once-aimless flair into intentional artistry.

If Cherki continues on this trajectory, he could become one of Pep’s most rewarding success stories — not because he’s the next De Bruyne or Silva, but because he represents something Guardiola values deeply: evolution. A player who adapts, listens, and grows without losing the essence that made him special.

For now, Rayan Cherki’s story at Manchester City is still being written, but the plot twist is already clear. The player once deemed too individualistic for Guardiola’s machine might just become its most creative cog. And in a team defined by precision, it’s the free soul — finally harnessed — who could make all the difference.