Jamie Redknapp could not contain his admiration for Rayan Cherki after the French forward netted a brace that helped Manchester City secure a 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. While Erling Haaland opened the scoring and added a second, it was Cherki’s two second‑half strikes that truly turned the tide in City’s favour.
Cherki’s first goal was a work of art. He weaved his way through a compact Palace defence, gliding past challengers with a balletic touch before calmly slotting the ball into the net.
Redknapp, speaking to Sky Sports, described the moment as "a masterpiece" and praised the young attacker’s impact, noting that the goals arrived at a crucial juncture and altered the complexion of the match. "He is a genius – the things he can do with a football are just incredible," Redknapp exclaimed. He highlighted Cherki’s balance and composure, saying that few Premier League players possess the same blend of close‑control dribbling and audacious decision‑making.
"In such tight spaces, with the ball glued to his feet, he still has the confidence to shift it to his left and finish in the corner," the former England midfielder added. When asked to compare Cherki with other technically gifted players, Redknapp mentioned Eden Hazard as a possible parallel, citing Hazard’s low centre of gravity and ability to glide past defenders.
He also evoked the memory of Georgian playmaker Georgi Kinkladze, a City fan favourite from a previous era, noting that Kinkladze could “get past people in a telephone box,” a skill he felt Cherki mirrored. The conversation then turned to Cherki’s role within manager Enzo Maresca’s system. Redknapp explained that while Maresca values structure, he must also allow space for a maverick talent like Cherki to express himself. "We’ve been discussing where he fits," Redknapp said, referencing talks with Elliot Anderson about positional discipline.
"But with someone like Cherki you have to accept his freedom – he’s a player who thrives when given the licence to roam." Even before the match, Redknapp had warned that modern managers often prefer rigid tactical frameworks and shy away from players who appear “loose” out of possession. Yet he confessed that he attends games to watch creative geniuses like Cherki, not to see safe, sideways passing. "That’s what makes me smile," he said.
"Some managers won’t appreciate it, but last week he rescued his side with two assists after coming off the bench against Bournemouth." Redknapp believes Maresca must place full trust in Cherki’s abilities. He recalled criticism of Cherki’s time at Chelsea, where the player was said to have struggled to find enough service from Cole Palmer, partly due to injuries and positional mismatches.
"With players like Cherki you have to give them freedom," Redknapp insisted. "You can’t tell them to stay on the wing and wait for the ball – they need to be allowed to create." Looking ahead, Redknapp speculated on how Cherki might be used in different tactical setups. He suggested that if City were to sign Enzo Fernández, the midfield could feature Fernández, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Elliot Anderson, allowing Cherki to operate with a bit more structure. However, in tighter games – such as a 2-1 scenario – the need for a player who can produce moments of brilliance becomes paramount.
"Erling Haaland will always benefit from those passes," Redknapp noted. When questioned about areas for improvement, Redknapp encouraged Cherki to exploit his dribbling prowess even more. "Because he is so good in tight areas, he should do it more often. Defenders are terrified to engage him in the box," he said.
He praised Cherki’s ambidexterity, observing that opponents cannot predict which foot he will favour, making him exceptionally difficult to stop. Redknapp recalled a previous encounter with Gabriel (referring to Gabriel Jesus) where Cherki dropped his shoulder, cut inside, and finished with his right foot as if the ball were attached to a string. City’s head coach Enzo Maresca 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 against Palace’s midfield. "He was in charge when they had the ball, he challenged Adam Wharton, and his overall game was complete," Maresca said. He added that Cherki’s love for the sport makes him easier to coach, and that his contributions in goals and assists will only grow as he matures.
In summary, both Redknapp and Maresca see Cherki as a rare talent whose creative freedom can unlock games. While structure remains important, allowing the young Frenchman the latitude to roam, dribble, and decide will likely yield more moments of magic for Manchester City in the Premier League.