Rayan Cherki has barely seen the pitch at the World Cup. That may be exactly what he needs.
Rayan Cherki arrived at Manchester City last summer and wasted no time making an impression. Ten goals, 15 assists, 52 appearances across all competitions — his first season at the Etihad was as good as anyone could have hoped. That form earned him a place in Didier Deschamps' France squad for the 2026 World Cup.
And then the tournament started. And Cherki sat down.
France came into the competition as favourites, and they have played like it. Outside of a tight 1-0 win over Paraguay in the Round of 16, they have strolled through. Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise have been outstanding. Ousmane Dembélé, Bradley Barcola and Désiré Doué have all had their moments. France's attack has been impossible to contain.
Cherki, for his part, has been impossible to get into it.
He has made five substitute appearances at the World Cup. Total minutes: 61. He has been used as a late option, not given enough time to make any real impact. There is no shame in struggling for minutes when the players ahead of you include Mbappe, Olise, Dembélé, Barcola and Doué, but that won't make it any less frustrating for a player who had hoped to play a bigger role.
Perhaps spending the World Cup on the periphery of proceedings will light a fire under Cherki that will take his game to another level.
Cherki is still only 22, and this is his first experience of a major international tournament. Being around that group, seeing what makes them tick, knowing the level required to be a regular starter for France — that is valuable in itself. He now knows exactly what it takes.
The question is what he does with that knowledge.
For Manchester City, the timing could be ideal. Cherki looks set to be an important player for Enzo Maresca next season and beyond. If the frustration of watching from the bench drives him to reach the level of those ahead of him in the France squad, City will be the ones who benefit.
There is still time for Cherki to make an impact at this World Cup, with a semi-final against Spain to come. But looking ahead, it may be next season where the real benefit of this tournament is felt — for both player and club.