Cherki starts and scores against Ivory Coast, Deschamps faces a tough dilemma

Rayan Cherki delivered a convincing performance in a France shirt Thursday evening in Nantes, opening the scoring against Ivory Coast (45’) in the first warm-up match ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The attacking midfielder from Manchester City, started at number 10 in the absence of Ousmane Dembélé — rested like the other finalists from the Ligue des Champions final PSG-Arsenal — was France’s standout attacking player of the evening.

Cherki operated with remarkable ease against Ivory Coast’s compact defensive block, regularly receiving the ball between the lines in central areas and proving dangerous on several occasions. After alerting goalkeeper Yahia Fofana with a left-footed effort, he finally found the breakthrough: a well-placed right-footed strike after evading Seko Fofana, for his second international goal in six caps. Ten minutes earlier, the 22-year-old had been too greedy, attempting to control a Marcus Thuram cross rather than shooting first time (31’).

Michael Olise, repositioned on the right flank, was less influential, though he set up a chance for Kylian Mbappé early on (6’) and tried his luck from a wide position (21’). Not substituted at half-time, Cherki continued to deliver quality technical touches in the second half, notably setting up Maghnes Akliouche in a goalscoring position just before his exit in the 78th minute.

This performance raises a genuine question for Didier Deschamps. The manager was considering starting Hugo Ekitiké on the left flank to form a four-man attacking unit with Dembélé, Olise and Mbappé. Cherki’s display could change the picture. The final answer will only come at kick-off of France’s first World Cup match on June 16 against Senegal in the New York area. In the meantime, Monday’s second friendly against Northern Ireland will allow Deschamps to rotate and assess his backup options.