Jamie Redknapp could not contain his admiration for Rayan Cherki after the French forward netted a brace that helped Manchester City overturn a potential defeat and secure a 4-1 triumph over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. While Erling Haaland opened the scoring and added a second later on, it was Cherki’s two second‑half strikes that truly swung the momentum in City’s favour. The first of Cherki’s goals was a piece of art.
He weaved his way through a wall of Palace defenders with a blend of close‑control dribbling and composure that left the opposition bewildered. After slipping past the last defender, he calmly slotted the ball home, a finish that Redknapp described on Sky Sports as "a masterpiece".
The second goal, arriving shortly after, was equally spectacular: Cherki collected the ball in a cramped space, shifted it onto his left foot with a flick of his heel, and curled a precise shot into the far corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance. Redknapp’s praise was effusive.
"He is a genius – the things he can do with a football are just incredible," the former England midfielder said. He highlighted Cherki’s balance, poise and audacity, noting that few Premier League players possess the same combination of technical skill and fearless creativity. "When I saw him in such close quarters, with the ball glued to his feet, and then the audacity to swing it to his left and finish in the corner – it reminded me of the kind of magic Eden Hazard could produce," Redknapp added, drawing a parallel to the Belgian star’s low centre of gravity and ability to glide past defenders.
The former player also evoked memories of Georgi Kinkladze, the Georgian midfielder who dazzled Manchester City fans in the late 1990s. "Kinkladze could slip through a telephone‑box‑sized gap; Cherki does something very similar today," Redknapp remarked, emphasizing the rarity of such talent in modern English football. He went on to discuss the tactical dilemma facing City’s manager, Enzo Maresca. While Maresca values structure and disciplined positioning, Redknapp argued that a player of Cherki’s calibre requires freedom to express himself.
"Cherki is a maverick talent – you have to let him do his thing," he said, stressing that imposing rigid roles could stifle his natural flair. Redknapp also reflected on Cherki’s impact in the first half, where he was relatively quiet, versus the second half, where he transformed the game with moments of brilliance.
He noted that many managers today prefer players who stick to a system and avoid “loose” play when out of possession, but he attends matches to witness players like Cherki who bring joy and unpredictability. "I don’t enjoy watching sideways passes; I watch football to see geniuses at work," he explained, adding that some coaches may not appreciate such freedom, yet the results speak for themselves.
The conversation turned to Cherki’s earlier contributions this season, particularly his two assists after coming off the bench against Bournemouth, which helped City secure a win in their opening Premier League fixture. Redknall suggested that Maresca must have confidence in Cherki’s abilities and grant him the liberty to operate across the attacking third.
He criticised past criticism of Cherki’s time at Chelsea, where he was blamed for not involving Cole Palmer enough, arguing that injuries and positional misplacement were to blame rather than a lack of talent. Looking ahead, Redknapp envisaged a City side where Cherki could thrive alongside emerging talents like Enzo Fernández, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Elliot Anderson. He imagined scenarios where the team might adopt a more compact, disciplined approach, but also highlighted the need for creative spark players like Cherki to unlock tight games. "When the match is tight, a player who can create out of nothing is priceless," he said, noting that even Haaland benefits from Cherki’s vision and passing.
When asked whether Cherki could improve, Redknapp encouraged him to dribble more in tight areas, as defenders often hesitate to engage him. He praised Cherki’s ambidexterity, noting that he can finish with either foot, making him unpredictable for opponents. Redknapp recalled a previous encounter against Gabriel (referring to a goal against Arsenal), where Cherki dropped his shoulder, cut inside, and used his right foot to finish effortlessly, describing the ball as seeming to be on a string for him.
Enzo Maresca, City’s manager, also weighed in on Cherki’s performance. He praised not only the two goals but also Cherki’s work rate off the ball, his pressing, and his defensive contributions. "He was in charge when Palace had the ball, he pressed well, and he contributed both offensively and defensively," Maresca said, adding that Cherki’s love for the game makes him easier to work with. He emphasized that Cherki’s contributions in goals and assists are already valuable, and that his influence is set to grow as he gains experience.
In summary, both Redknapp and Maresca see Cherki as a rare blend of technical brilliance, work ethic, and creative freedom. While managers may be tempted to impose strict structures, the consensus among the pundits is that Cherki thrives when given space to express his innate genius.
As Manchester City continue their campaign, the hope is that Cherki will receive the latitude he needs to dazzle fans, unlock defenses, and become an integral part of a side that balances discipline with flair.