Rayan Cherki's continued rise
One To Watch
Often on the outside looking in last season as Pierre Sage led Olympique Lyonnais to a historic rise up the table following his appointment as head coach, Rayan Cherki has taken his game to another level this season -- learn more about the rising star and his affect on Les Gones' strong start to the season.
Failing to convince
Of course, it was hardly always this way for Cherki. One of a decreasing number of home-grown players in Lyon's squad, he had had first made his name by scoring twice and adding a pair of assists against FC Nantes in a Coupe de France match at the age of just 16. Injuries and form would keep him from achieving anything approaching consistency in subsequent seasons, and while he remained a regular for France's youth teams, whispers about his future -- potentially outside of the country -- continued.
Last season, with Sage preferring to play a 4-3-3 and the likes of Ernest Nuamah, SaĂŻd Benrahma and Malick Fofana seemingly ahead of him the pecking order, he was forced to live of scraps in terms of playing time, and entered this season with a contract expiring in 2025. Left out of the squad to start the season as Lyon lost two of their first four matches, he would sign an extension through 2026 and eventually get back on to the pitch, scoring a late goal against Marseille.
🚶 @rayan_cherki, de l'élaboration à la conclusion🚶
👋 @OL pic.twitter.com/D8jZFh64lu— Ligue 1 McDonald's (@Ligue1) December 9, 2024
incredible numbers
While not every moment since that match has been brilliant, there's clearly something different about Cherki since that goal -- and about Lyon. After scoring again in the Europa League against Olympiakos the following week, he's been a regular in the team in Ligue 1 McDonald's and in Europe. The team haven't lost any of the matches their young playmaker has started domestically, and Sage was quick to praise him after the match, labeling him as "one his most important players."
Now thriving in that 4-3-3 -- playing on both flanks -- Cherki has even been deployed as a ten in a 4-2-3-1, with Sage changing systems to be more possession-based and creative, rather than playing on the break as they so often had last year. With a sparkling goal against Angers at the weekend taking his tally to four in all competitions, to go with five assists, and Paris Saint-Germain on the horizon on Sunday, Cherki's story continues to be one to follow.
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