Joe Hart has seen a few players pass through Manchester City. Not many have prompted him to reach for the name David Silva. After Rayan Cherki's goal in City's 5-3 win over Sunderland, the former goalkeeper did exactly that.
On Match of the Day, Hart compared the Frenchman's composure to that of the four-time Premier League winner. "The only person I can think of when it comes to this and couldn't understand was David [Silva]; everything just seemed to slow down!" he said. "He wasn't strong, wasn't explosive, but when these moments came, he seemed to be able to just manipulate players around him."
Cherki's goal was the second in a chaotic eight-goal contest. He restored City's lead on the half-hour mark, steering a low finish through a crowded penalty area. It was a moment of genuine quality in a game that had plenty of the other kind.
Silva's reputation at City rests on that very quality. As a four-time league champion — twice while Hart was at the club — the Spaniard was known for his ability to slow the game to his own tempo and glide through tight spaces. Supporters still talk about him in those terms.
Cherki has been building his own case since arriving from Lyon in 2025. He had already chipped in with goals and assists across City's opening fixtures, including decisive contributions against Bournemouth and Crystal Palace. The Sunderland performance helped Enzo Maresca's side to a fifth successive league win.
That run has left City three points clear at the top of the table, after Arsenal's shocking collapse at Brighton. For a player still settling into English football, the comparison from Hart is flattering. For City, it is another sign that the squad's creative department is in capable hands.