Cherki emerged at Lyon as a teenager with the freedom and imagination of a street footballer. He could beat a man, find an unexpected pass and change a game in an instant. The challenge was making those moments part of a repeatable, team-first performance.
Rongoni, who worked in Lyon’s fitness department, believes coaching gradually gave Cherki that structure. “Com o tempo e com o trabalho dos treinadores, ele entendeu esse processo com movimentação e passe, e hoje é um jogador completo,” he said.
That development matters at City, where a gifted attacker must also understand spacing, pressing triggers and the responsibility that comes when possession is lost.
Rongoni’s account places particular emphasis on conversations around nutrition and physical condition, alongside demanding strength and conditioning work adjusted to Cherki’s match schedule. It was not presented as a battle of personalities, but as part of a young player learning what elite football requires.
“Posso dizer que Rayan não gosta de trabalho,” Rongoni joked. “Mas ele é trabalhador e comigo foi trabalhador.”
That distinction is central. Cherki may not have loved every gym session or running drill, but the report says he accepted the process. His ability to combine technical invention with greater movement and resilience appears to have helped him earn Guardiola’s confidence.
The next step is consistency. Manchester City will expect Cherki’s creativity in the final third, but also the discipline to support the structure around it. If his off-ball growth continues, he can become more than an entertainer: he can be a complete Guardiola player.
The next run of fixtures will reveal whether that transformation is temporary momentum or the foundation of Cherki’s long-term place at City.