Rayan Cherki is keen to shut down comparisons between himself and departed Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.
Cherki is a new arrival at Manchester City after arriving from Lyon earlier this month. The 21-year-old joins after an impressive season in France, where he led Ligue 1 and the Europa League for assists.
Rayan Cherki wants to make fans fall in love with football again 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/lpAtrzg11o
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Cherki will be tasked with replacing the creative output of De Bruyne, who has departed the Etihad after a decade with the club.
De Bruyne is the second-highest assist provider in Premier League history and Cherki was keen to squash suggestions that he was a like-for-like replacement for the club great.
The summer recruit could make his debut in City’s Club World Cup opener against Wydad AC on Wednesday.
“I’m not Kevin De Bruyne. Kevin De Bruyne, he is the legend. I’m here to help the team and write my own history,” Cherki told Ben Jacobs.
“I hope I win all the time with the team. I loved no.10, but now I play all the positions on the pitch. It’s not complicated because I just want to play.
“Pep, he said to me, when you have the ball, you are free. It’s very good for me because it’s my first quality when I help the team.
“I spoke with Pep, he wanted me and for me it’s very, very clear. The system, the club, the city is very good and I want to win.
“And Manchester City, they want to win it all. For me, it’s better.”
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