Manchester City’s ambitions for the 2025-26 Premier League season have hit a significant snag with the news that their summer signing, Rayan Cherki, will be sidelined for up to two months due to a torn left quadriceps. The 21-year-old French playmaker, who joined the Citizens from Lyon in June for a reported £36 million, suffered the injury during training, forcing him to miss City’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on August 31, 2025. Manager Pep Guardiola confirmed the severity of the setback, stating, “He will be out for two months. Seven or eight weeks,” a prognosis that has left fans reeling and sparked frustration across social media. With the team already struggling, having won just one of their opening three league matches, Cherki’s absence exacerbates an already precarious situation for the reigning champions.
Cherki’s arrival at the Etihad Stadium was met with high expectations. The versatile attacking midfielder, known for his two-footed flair and ability to unlock defenses, was seen as the heir to Kevin De Bruyne, who departed for Napoli earlier in the summer. “This is a dream for me,” Cherki said upon signing his five-year contract, which runs until 2030. “Honestly, to be joining a club like Manchester City and have the opportunity to make the next step in my career here is something very, very special.” His early performances showed promise: he scored on his Premier League debut in a 4-0 rout of Wolverhampton Wanderers and netted during City’s run to the last 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup. However, his full debut against Tottenham Hotspur, a 2-0 loss, was less inspiring, and his injury now threatens to derail his integration into Guardiola’s system.
The timing of Cherki’s injury couldn’t be worse. With academy graduate Phil Foden also sidelined by a minor ankle issue, City’s attacking options are stretched thin. “That’s us done. Zero creativity in the team without him,” one fan lamented online, capturing the sentiment of a fanbase rattled by the team’s rocky start. Another supporter vented, “Brilliant. Never been injured. Comes to City, plays one and a half games and is out for two months.” Cherki’s injury history at Lyon was relatively clean, with only one significant absence in the 2021-22 season, making this setback all the more jarring. City’s upcoming fixtures, including a blockbuster Manchester derby against United on September 14 and challenging matches against Aston Villa, Borussia Dortmund, and Liverpool in October and November, could see Cherki miss up to 11 games across all competitions.
Compounding City’s woes is the inability to recall Claudio Echeverri, a 19-year-old Argentine forward on loan at Bayer Leverkusen. Despite a recall clause in his deal, it can only be triggered in January, leaving Guardiola without a natural replacement for Cherki’s creative spark. “I love this sport, and I can’t wait to develop further here in Manchester with Pep and his backroom staff,” Cherki had said, but his development is now on hold. Guardiola, known for working with a compact squad, may turn to other options like Omar Marmoush, Jeremy Doku, or Bernardo Silva to fill the void, with young Oscar Bobb also in contention. “Phil Foden, we need you to find some fitness and form, lad,” one fan urged online, reflecting hope that the England star can step up.
Cherki’s absence also cost him a spot in France’s World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Iceland, with Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike stepping in after scoring in each of his first three games for the Reds. Cherki’s international debut against Spain, where he scored and assisted in a thrilling 5-4 UEFA Nations League loss, had showcased his potential, making his injury a blow to both club and country. “Everyone knows how good City are – they have been so successful for many years now,” Cherki said upon joining, embracing the pressure to help sustain that success. Yet, with City trailing league leaders Liverpool by six points, the road ahead looks daunting.
Guardiola remains optimistic, praising Cherki’s unique ability to “beat a man, pick a pass, and find a route to goal.” The manager’s faith in his squad’s depth will be tested, but City’s history of resilience under pressure offers hope. As fans brace for a challenging stretch, the focus is on Cherki’s recovery, expected by early November, and whether he can recapture the magic that made him one of Ligue 1’s standout talents. For now, City must navigate this storm without their new star, hoping their depth and tactical nous can keep their title aspirations alive.
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