Man City star Rayan Cherki was involved in an animated chat with Pep Guardiola after their 2-0 victory over Newcastle.
Cherki came off the bench and impressed in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at St James’ Park, scoring the second City goal in the eighth minute of added time at the end of the second half.
It was a smart finish from the Frenchman and it doubled City’s lead in the tie after Antoine Semenyo’s opener, with the former Bournemouth star also having a goal controversially chalked off.
As City were celebrating their victory at full-time, Guardiola pulled Cherki in for a hug and he was smiling before his mood suddenly changed.
The Spaniard is known for having animated post-match conversations with players from both his own side and the opposition too – and he appeared to be having a similar one with Cherki on the pitch.
Guardiola could be seen pointing at the 22-year-old and in different areas of the ground as if Cherki had made a mistake somewhere, while the forward tried to plead his case.
Rayan Cherki had an animated chat with Pep Guardiola after Man City’s win at Newcastle
Guardiola’s animated demeanour continued for around 20 seconds, although Cherki was seen smiling as he listened.
It is unclear what the Spaniard was talking to the forward about but he was guilty of shooting on a couple of occasions late on when he could have passed, although he did ultimately score.
Guardiola has also previously been critical of Cherki’s defensive work rate and speaking after City’s 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest over Christmas when the French star scored the winner, he had said: ‘There are moments I shout at him and there are moments I want to kiss him, so I have that ambivalent feeling with him.’
Nevertheless, City now have an important two-goal advantage heading into next month’s second leg and Cherki has totted up 15 goal contributions in just 14 starts.
The forward arrived from Lyon in the summer for what looks like a bargain price of £34million and Jamie Redknapp was full of praise for him on Sky Sports after the Newcastle victory.
‘It felt for a long while that players like this were going out of the game,’ he said. ‘What we call mavericks, people that can make those final moments.
‘I absolutely love watching him play. Left foot, right foot, he’s a magician on the ball.
Cherki scored City’s second in the 2-0 win but Guardiola was keen to tell him something after
‘When they signed him, they obviously did a lot of due diligence but you never know how these players will do and adjust to the Premier League.
‘Sometimes you think we’ll be fine with it, but he’s shown he can do it with and without the ball. When you pay to watch footballers you want to see someone who can light the stadium up (like him).
‘I reckon there were reservations (about signing him). Was he the sort of player who will work without the ball?
‘But I think he’s been an unbelievable signing, the signing of the season for me. I love to see mavericks like that play football.’
