French midfielder Rayan Cherki (21) from Lyon has emerged this season as one of the most intriguing young offensive talents in European football.
According to FBref data—comparing him to positional peers in the top five European leagues, the Champions League, and the Europa League over the last 365 days, based on 1761 minutes played—it’s clear why clubs like Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, West Ham, Atalanta, Juventus, Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern, and Napoli are reportedly vying for his signature. It’s estimated that he could be acquired for around 22 million euros—a true bargain for a player of his potential.
Why is Cherki So Highly Regarded? 🏆
Top-tier creativity and assists
Averaging 0.51 assists (99th percentile) and 0.47 xAG (also 99th percentile) per match, Cherki stands out as a top playmaker. He also records 7.56 shot-creating actions (99th percentile) per 90 minutes.
Progressive passing and dribbling
With 9.45 progressive passes (99th percentile) and 4.55 successful take-ons (99th percentile) per 90 minutes, Cherki clearly loves to drive forward and create opportunities through dribbling.
Threat in front of goal
He takes an average of 3.07 shots per match (82nd percentile), and his npxG (0.30) plus npxG + xAG (0.76) range from the 73rd to 95th percentile—indicating above-average attacking output.
Ball distribution and passing volume
He attempts 59.23 passes (96th percentile) per 90 minutes at a 75.8% completion rate (50th percentile), showing he’s highly involved in build-up play, though his passing accuracy is only average—likely due to his willingness to attempt more creative, high-risk passes.
Defensive contribution
His defensive numbers (tackles, blocks, aerial duels) are generally lower, which is expected for a highly offensive-oriented midfielder/winger.
In short, Cherki is an offensive maestro offering clubs a brilliant mix of creativity, dribbling, and goal threat. Considering his (relatively) low price tag of 22 million euros, it’s no surprise he’s generating significant buzz in the transfer market. And with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia now at PSG, Cherki could serve as an ideal—yet financially reasonable—replacement on the wing for Napoli. ⚡️
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