Cherki substituted at half-time by Guardiola after ghostly first-half display against PSG

Rayan Cherki did not make it to half-time. Starting at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night in the Champions League, Manchester City’s attacking midfielder was substituted at the interval by his manager during the Citizens’ heavy 4-2 defeat to PSG, along with Jérémy Doku and Ruben Dias. Ayyoub Bouaddi, the former Lille player, replaced him in midfield — with a notably more convincing impact.

The substitution illustrates a striking contrast with the previous match: three days earlier, Cherki had capped City’s 3-0 victory over Liverpool with a quality goal in the box. Against PSG, the picture was entirely different. Sloppy, lacking presence in duels, the former Lyon player displayed exactly the profile his detractors hold against him.

Christophe Dugarry was scathing about the player. “Without intensity, his technique is worthless,” the former France striker said bluntly, describing a player who “walks around, plays at two miles an hour” and “thinks that’s enough”. To illustrate his point, Dugarry cited Barcelona players — Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal — as models who combine technique with physical commitment. “Either you start bringing intensity to your game, and then you’ll be among the best. But as long as he doesn’t bring intensity to his game, he’ll stagnate,” he concluded.

Samir Nasri had made his diagnosis even before kick-off. “This nonchalance can be a problem. He has extraordinary talent, the calibre of Neymar. But he needs to shed this nonchalance, because sometimes it can be a brake at the very highest level,” he warned. The evening proved him right.

At 21, Cherki has undisputed technical credentials since his arrival in the Premier League. But this defeat to PSG is a reminder that raw talent is not enough at this level of demand, and that punishment can come as quickly from the bench as from the pundits.