Nantes, France
Lyon starlet Rayan Cherki was tipped for a “big future” by Nantes coach Christian Gourcuff after the teenager contributed to all four goals in his side’s 4-3 victory in their French Cup tie.
The 16-year-old Cherki scored twice, provided two assists and won a penalty—missed by Moussa Dembele—in an eye-catching display as Lyon held off Nantes in the round of 32 on Saturday.
Lyon boss Rudi Garcia, who handed Cherki his professional debut against Dijon in October, said it was the youngster’s all-round commitment that most pleased him.
“We know he’s a boy who has the ability to decide a match. Of course that pleased me,” said Garcia.
“What delighted me though was his overall game and how he played with his team-mates, the intelligence of his choices and his defensive runs. If he continues likes that he will be able to keep making progress.”
Garcia must also try and temper expectations for a burgeoning talent who has drawn comparisons to fellow Lyon academy graduates Karim Benzema and Hatem Ben Arfa.
“My role is also to lower those levels because everyone is going to praise him to the skies, but he’s only 16 years old,” said Garcia.
“It’s going to be a great danger if he stops listening to me, no longer works hard and thinks he’s already made it, when he’s still got a long way to go.”
Nantes counterpart Gourcuff admitted he didn’t know too much about Cherki but was quickly impressed by his breakout performance.—APP
