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City manager the Catalan coach, previously worked with greats like Messi, the Spanish genius, and Xavi Hernández, affirmed that Rayan Cherki ranks among the most gifted footballers he has ever witnessed and is sure the forward will adopt the collective mentality at the Manchester outfit.

Return from Injury

The Frenchman, who moved to the Sky Blues from Ligue 1 in a £30.5m deal in time for the intercontinental tournament in June, has managed just seven outings to date. After recovering from a thigh injury, he made a brief stint in the 2-0 victory against the Toffees at the weekend, where he nearly set up a goal for Erling Haaland.

He is heading to Villarreal where he have his European debut for the club.

Coach’s View

Despite asking for understanding, the manager was at a loss to put into words Cherki’s abilities, admitting that the main question is how he fits in within the setup and gets used to doing simpler tasks consistently.

“Rayan is among the greatest stars I have ever seen in my career,” commented the coach, puffing out his cheeks. “In terms of skill he is excellent. The challenge is how he settles and his perception of each situation, what the match demands. He started at the Club World Cup, though he was sidelined. We have to go step by step, though his skill is undeniable: I have the sense that often when possession comes to him, things get better.

“It’s not necessary for him to have to produce extraordinary things; sometimes he just needs keep it straightforward. Still, he owns that something. Such as the assist for Erling late in the game, plus countless actions he is capable of.

“He is someone immune to pressure on the ball. He resembles a playground player. He is grumpy – ‘give me the ball’ – when he doesn’t get it, you know. He’s been here for a short time in the team; it will take some time since it’s vital to play together.”

When asked if the youngster would fit within the group dynamic, the manager answered: “Absolutely. These kinds of players are so instinctive, highly intelligent. They see everything.”

Kudos for the Midfielder

Guardiola likewise highlighted Nico González, who appears set to play in the engine room. The team’s usual starter has gone to his former club, and is likely to be honoured ahead of the game in Villarreal, but is unavailable due to a muscle injury.

The manager said: “I believe that he is progressing consistently. We are very satisfied with his approach and he should keep getting better. He is well-rounded, open-minded, a lovely guy. His parents should be extremely happy with him as a human and athlete he is. He must be himself, yet while competing with elite teammates, you always learn. You see how your performance elevates, however, González has to be himself, without a doubt.”

Squad’s Improving Performance

He likewise was effusive on the club’s improving displays. “We put away plenty of strikes, creating numerous opportunities, while also letting in very few. We’ve played just eight Premier League matches as well as two on the continental stage, yet I believe that each game improves upon the one before and is worse than the upcoming.

“We talk about a lot what we can do better and methods to read the game improve. I possess immense confidence in the squad and I realize the individuals are working hard. We are displaying excellent condition.”