Footage of Rayan Cherki's first Man City training session emerges and it's got fans talking

Rayan Cherki had made an instant impression in Manchester City training as he prepares to make his much-anticipated debut for the club at this summer's Club World Cup.

The 21-year-old attacking midfielder, who joined City from Ligue 1 side Lyon this month for a reported £34 million, is expected to feature against Moroccan side Wydad AC in Philadelphia on Wednesday.

Ahead of his first training session this week, the highly-rated France international made a short speech in front of his new teammates, as well as Pep Guardiola and his fellow coaches.

"I’m ready to play with you because you are the best players and thank you [to Guardiola]," he said, just days after Hugo Viana, City's director of football, said Cherki could become a world-class player.

Moments after the speech, Cherki gave his teammates a sneak peak of what's to come this season, as he showcased his shooting prowess in a shooting drill alongside Jeremy Doku and Oscar Bobb.

In fact, as you can see from the clip below, a delighted Guardiola can be seen embracing Cherki, just moments after the Frenchman's strike hit the underside of the crossbar and in – a moment that got people talking online.

One said: "When's the last time you've seen Pep vibe with a player like this. Cherki changed his life."

A second wrote: "Cherki... give me more content, I could watch this all day," while a third commented: "Every goddamn finish from Cherki I’ve seen is 10/10."

A fourth said: "Cherki changed Pep’s life," and a fifth added: "Nah but really when was the last time a new player got pep so excited like this. Pep’s found his Messi at City."

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— Manchester City (@ManCity) June 16, 2025

Cherki has already detailed how Guardiola wants to use him in the coming weeks and months.

Speaking after the training session, he told reporters: “I spoke with Pep about my position on the pitch and we spoke about what I enjoy when I’m on the pitch. It’s very good for me.

"He told me he loves a number 10, but now I play all the positions in the pitch, it’s not complicated because I just want to play.”

The former Lyon man added: “Pep told me, ‘when you have the ball, you are free’ which is very good for me because it’s my first quality to help the team.”

⚽️ Manchester City are gearing up for their Club World Cup opener this Wednesday!

🔥 New signing Rayan Cherki spotted in action during a 3-phase finishing setup.

🎯 His technical skills are absolutely outrageous!

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— Keepitonthedeck (@Keepitonthedeck) June 16, 2025

Cherki also mentioned Manchester United as he recalled losing to City's local rivals in the Europa League last season.

"I didn’t like it when Manchester United won the game against Lyon because I am a Lyonnais," he said. "Now I am waiting for the game (to) kill them. I just (wanted) to go to Manchester City."