Thanks to a double from Nico O’Reilly, Manchester City won the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal (2-0) this Sunday. In the 68th minute, Rayan Cherki had fun performing three juggles following a check. Commenting for Sky Sports, Gary Neville criticized the Frenchman’s action.
Arrogance or simply the expression of freedom and magic of Rayan Cherki? In the 68th minute of the Carabao Cup final, Manchester City leads 2-0 against Premier League leaders Arsenal. Pep Guardiola’s men put in a performance full of efficiency and opportunism against a Mikel Arteta team that has been difficult to overthrow this season.
Alone upon receiving a ball, Rayan Cherki then allows himself a touch of fantasy and controls then juggles, three times. The gesture caused Ben White to become angry and guilty. The English full-back receives a yellow card, but he is not the only one who did not appreciate the French striker’s juggles. “To be honest, I think it’s a bit too early for that, it was a bit arrogant,” said Gary Neville, commenting on the match for Sky Sports.
The former Manchester United defender sees this action by Rayan Cherki as an unwelcome provocation: “You must always keep in mind that Arsenal can score a goal, and you look like an idiot if you start celebrating the goal when there are still around twenty minutes to play. His teammates will not find it very wise either.”
As an image of Pep Guardiola looking annoyed at the edge of the pitch circulates. It’s difficult to know if the Spanish coach’s reaction is a direct result of his player’s famous juggles. According to Gary Neville, the Citizens coach is not a fan of this kind of technical gesture anyway: “I think I could have done the same thing, and he (Pep) didn’t appreciate it either”, explains the former England international.
“Be more like Cherki”
If Rayan Cherki is looking for an ally, he may have found one in Ruud Gullit. While today’s football is sometimes criticized for its lack of magic, the Dutch legend is delighted to see players expressing themselves more freely on the pitch. “I just don’t enjoy football anymore. On the pitch, everyone is just doing tasks. Where have the dribbling players gone? Where have the gutsy players gone? Everyone is just passing, passing, passing, and passing again. I feel like football has become too predictable. Be more like Cherki, guys,” the 1987 Golden Ball winner said on Dutch television channel Ziggo Sport. A strong support, even if it does not seem that Rayan Cherki will change his style of play anytime soon despite the criticism.
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