Thread by @Flair2Play

Profile analysis | Rayan Cherki

The best playmaker in the world?
A thread 🧵

The following are my honest thoughts and observations upon years of faithfully watching Cherki play. From the youth level to the European stage, his playmaking has always been his forte. I will expound on this part of his game and highlight how much better he is than you think.

a) Ball manipulation

Rayan is a fabulous dribbler whose inventiveness knows no bounds. With both feet and from any angles, in tight spaces or in 1v1s, there isn’t a situation he can’t unlock with his dancing feet.

His otherworldly game sense coupled with his inch-perfect eye-foot coordination result in one of the quickest thinker, and executioner, there is in world football. He thinks and moves before everyone else can catch up.

“One-on-one, you are dead.” - José Mourinho

https://twitter.com/flair2play/status/1911542090875445466

His ability to hold onto the ball is a net positive; he isn’t “ball hogging”. He opens up space, creates angles and provides game changing opportunities. He doesn’t lose himself in dribbles. With a collected mind, he’s ready to follow with, not the ‘right’, but the ‘better’ play.

https://twitter.com/flair2play/status/1924683915853217817

His composure on the ball, and mastery of La Pausa, are unparalleled. He won’t give into the frenzy, nor will he let the slow pace of the game dictates his rhythm. He doesn’t dance to anyone else’s tune; he seizes the game and makes it his.

*See quoted post*

https://twitter.com/flair2play/status/1826845990927655268

It’s thanks to his shielding and balance that he manages to advance the play through his carries. His speed, though obviously far from the world’s best, is too often uncharitably evaluated by the masses. He stands as a 94th percentile winger for progressive carries after all.

3.3 take-ons p90 in the Europa League (2nd most per game), and 2.1 domestically, get him a spot as one Europe’s best dribblers. Ball at his feet and on the run, from every square of the field and with seemingly infinite possibilities—he’s a threat generator like no other.

1b) Moving the football

Eye for the pass, link-ups and getting the ball from point A to point Z. Rayan Cherki is more than a great passer—he’s an amazing connector, a facilitator for those around him. He fluidifies the game and makes it easy. He’s a smooth operator.

https://twitter.com/flair2play/status/1885100786931171581

The distance does not matter to him, neither does the foot he’s on or the angle. He will find a way to serve his comrades and put them in the best conditions. He breathes life into the play with each and one of his passes. He truly is free of any bias (angle & distance).

His link-up play is arguably the best there is. He constantly seeks to position himself in between the lines, always offering his teammates one more solution. He thrives in those areas and is always technically, tactically, and mentally ready to combine with those closest to him.

See how easily he finds his teammates everywhere on the pitch, from any position, and in whatever ways he sees fit. He beats the press, progresses the play, combines and creates chances, all in one. He doesn’t just dismantle the opposition’s system, he elevates and maximizes his.

https://twitter.com/xdcomps/status/1857471265604583864

His eye for the pass is arguably the best in word’s football. He sees that we ourselves can’t even perceive from behind the screen. He does it everywhere, anytime, every time. His technique assures neat and accurate results with each strike of the ball.

https://twitter.com/squawka/status/1921963341125165476

The ball moves faster than the man? Well, few are those who move the ball better than Cherki. His ability to move it out of danger for his side and find it in threatening positions against the opponent is rivalled only by a select few—bested by even less, little to none.

https://twitter.com/antoniomango4/status/1922355663180570764

2b) Creation

• 2nd most chances created in Ligue 1 (75) and the most in p90 (3.3)

• Most chances created in Europa (46) and 3rd most in p90 (4.5)

• Most BCC in both Ligue 1 (22) and Europa (15)

• 6th most BCC in Europe’s top five leagues (22) and 3rd most in p90 (1)

https://twitter.com/flair2play/status/1926051133404901669

He leads Ligue 1 in both xA (11.7) and xA p90 (0.52). In the Europa League, he is first in xA (5.9) and 2nd in xA p90 (0.57).

As incredible as those numbers are, let us not forget that they are but numbers (or bikinis according to certain people).

https://twitter.com/datamb_/status/1928443986605199511

Cherki’s creation is unique. His ambipedal nature frees him from any and all angle bias and the freedom to roam all over the pitch allows him to reach corners others don’t even sniff. Known by the masses as a RW, he’s truly meant to operate in a more central/free position.

https://twitter.com/juanin1oi/status/1878470608213746174

His profile is unlike anything we’ve seen in world football. His two footedness (if that’s even a word) has fooled not just the defenders, but even the bystanders. Ask the average viewer and he’d tell you about a left footed Rayan Cherki. That player doesn’t exist though.

See 👇

https://twitter.com/flair2play/status/1922402514638364709

He creates from everywhere, at anytime and in every way possible. This is the one game breaking advantage he has over every other playmaker in the world. On a football pitch, no one is more free than Mathis Rayan Cherki and as I love to say: “Being good means being free.”

https://twitter.com/robypoto/status/1871339832812953671

It goes beyond simply moving from one side to the other. Cherki’s versatility/freedom isn’t only technical, it’s tactical. You may know him as an elite RW, you probably have heard noise about a world class AM but did you know about his savoir faire on the left? He does it all.

https://twitter.com/ye_comps/status/1888689572298826133

Finally, I want to mention Rayan’s signature move, one that has shown itself to be monstrously effective. Having already talked about it in a previous thread I invite you to check it out for yourself. Here is what I’m talking about. 👇

https://twitter.com/flair2play/status/1914191859812888667

A player whose numbers stack up to all-timers, one in the making himself. There isn’t a team in the world that wouldn’t benefit from his services. He has offered us plays to talk about for years to come and he is a player we will talk about for years to come—still only 21.

https://twitter.com/fc_mossman/status/1898119290693325099

Having Rayan Cherki on your side is borderline a cheat code. His ability to create his own shot is already impressive as it is. Add to that his shot and goal creating prouesses for his teammates and you have in your hand an offensive juggernaut—the world’s best.

https://twitter.com/shnftbl/status/1921859361862820165

— Master of 1v1s and in tight spaces
— Clinical passer and world class progressive plays
— Guaranteed elite link-up plays
— A chances creation machine and unparalleled threat creator
— Angles manipulator and inventor

With both feet and from everywhere. 🦄

Rayan Cherki - Creativity & Playmaking

2024/25 only.
🎥: @idoxvi