Enzo Maresca thrilled with Rayan Cherki’s work rate in Manchester City victory
By Rachel Steinberg, Press Association
Rayan Cherki’s quickfire double catalysed Manchester City’s 4-1 win at Crystal Palace but it was the Frenchman’s work off the ball that most impressed new boss Enzo Maresca.
City made it a perfect two wins from two to start Maresca’s first season in charge at City, with Erling Haaland opening the scoring with a 17th-minute header and wrapping up the three points late on.
Cherki scored his first in the 54th minute to initiate a wild six-minute spell that continued with Gianluigi Donnarumma’s own goal from a Yeremy Pino free-kick before the France international bagged another.
“For sure he’s happy,” said Maresca. “But his performance for me was very good, not because of the two goals but the way he worked off the ball.
“He has to press, he was in charge when Palace had the ball, he was in charge of (Adam) Wharton, and I think his game was a complete game.”
The 23-year-old added to the two assists he picked up after coming on as a substitute in City’s season-opening 2-1 win over Bournemouth.
He started on Friday night at Selhurst Park, taking the place of Rico Lewis in Maresca’s staring XI.
“He loves football, which makes it much easier to work with him,” said Maresca. “It is what it is, he’s Rayan.
“We know how good he is, we know the quality he has, and in this moment he’s helping the team with the numbers, also assisting goals, and no doubt that is going to help the team in the future.”
The heavy defeat spoiled new Palace boss Pierre Sage’s introduction to the home support at Selhurst Park, which felt the noticeable absent of fan group the Holmesdale Fanatics, who, on the eve of the Eagles’ home opener, had announced they were “choosing to stop all organised activity as the HF inside the stadium”.
The collective, which has existed for more than 20 years, pointed to myriad reasons they felt had blighted football more generally, including “sky-high ticket prices, needless restrictions that are designed to strip away the dignity of supporters, relentless harassment and legal action” which they believe have deterred younger fans.
Sage’s line-up was missing a number of key absentees including Ismaila Sarr, with the Frenchman revealing he had been suffering from a groin-related issue.
Striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, he explained after Friday’s loss, had “injured (himself) two days ago at the end of the session with individual work”.
Pressed as to the nature of Mateta’s injury, the former Lens boss confirmed it was a “muscle issue”.
He added: “That’s a crazy thing, but we can lose him for maybe at least four weeks.”
Both Sarr and Mateta have been reportedly desiring moves elsewhere before the transfer window closes on Tuesday.
Reports have also suggested right-back Daniel Munoz is a target for ex-Palace boss Oliver Glasner at Nottingham Forest.
Asked why the Colombia international, a regular starter under Glasner, was on the bench and did not feature against City, Sage said: “It’s a sports decision. My decision.”
