Pep Guardiola has hailed Rayan Cherki as “one of the most talented players” that he has ever seen.
The Manchester City manager signed the French attacking midfielder this summer from Lyon for a fee of around £30million.
Cherki, 22, has had an injury-hit start to his City career.
He has played just three times in the Premier League since his arrival, having struggled with a thigh injury that kept him out for seven games.
He opened his top-flight account for his new club in the 4-0 thrashing of Wolves on the opening day.
He netted his first goal for City back at the Club World Cup over the summer, with a strike in the 6-0 victory over Al-Ain.
Now, as Guardiola and Cherki prepare for a Champions League trip to Villarreal, the Spaniard has waxed lyrical about one of his many new recruits.
“Rayan is one of the most talented players I have ever seen in my career,” Guardiola said.
“His talent; he is top. The question is how he settles and how he needs to read actions.
“He started well at the Club World Cup but then had a few weeks off. I have the feeling most of the time when the ball comes to him, the situation is better.
“But not all the time you have to do exceptional things - just play football. He has something.
“The pass for Erling [Haaland] in the last moments [against Everton], he can do it.
“He is a player who doesn’t feel pressure. He is like a street player.
“He wants the ball when he doesn’t have it.
“But he [has been] here for a short time - he needs a little bit of time because in football you learn to play with your mates.
“But these types of players are intelligent. They see everything.”
