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FIFA Club World Cup: New Manchester City recruit Cherki reveals his lofty ambitions
New Manchester City signing Rayan Cherki has set his sights on glory at 2025 FIFA Club World Cup - with every game live on DAZN and admitted: “I want to win everything.”
The 21-year-old France midfielder has joined from Lyon for an initial fee of £30.45million and is currently preparing for Wednesday’s Group G opener with Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca.
Cherki made his senior debut for Lyon at 16 and scored 29 goals and provided 45 assists in 185 games for the club.
He is being viewed as a central figure in the new chapter being written by Pep Guardiola this summer following a raft of new arrivals and the departure of club legend Kevin De Bruyne.
Self-belief drips from Cherki, who wants to emulate City midfielder Rodi by winning the coveted Ballon d’Or.
“I'm not Kevin De Bruyne, he is the legend,” said Cherki, who claimed 12 goals and 20 assists in 44 matches last season for Lyon.
“I'm here to help the team and to write my own story. I hope to win all the time with the team.
“When you see Rodri, he won the Ballon d'Or here – it's clear that with Manchester City it's possible and I am here for this.
“When I spoke with Pep, he wanted me - he was very, very clear.
“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.
“The system, the club, the city is very good. I want to win and I think Manchester City wants to win it all.”
Cherki scored for Lyon in both legs of their Europa League quarter-final defeat to Manchester United last season.
In the second leg at Old Trafford, which saw Ruben Amorim’s side snatch a stunning 5-4 win on the night and 7-6 on aggregate, Cherki was seen goading home fans after he scored.
He admitted: “I didn’t like it when Manchester United won the game against Lyon because I am a Lyonnais.
“Now I am waiting for the game (to) kill them. I just (wanted) to go to Manchester City.”
Cherki could light up the Club World Cup with the wide range of skills in his artillery.
“I’m here to help the team,” he enthused.
“We have the best players in the world. I work and I wait my turn.
“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 No10, but now I play all the positions in the pitch - so it’s not complicated because I just want to play.
“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.”
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