Liverpool, Newcastle and Tottenham battle for £25m French wonderkid

Rayan Cherki: A Possible Target for Liverpool’s Midfield Reinforcement

Rayan Cherki is reportedly interested in a transfer from Olympique Lyonnais this summer, per GFFN. Several clubs are reportedly in pursuit of the attacking midfielder. Cherki’s prospective transfer is being evaluated by Newcastle, Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, and Liverpool, according to the article. “Cherki’s contract with Lyon is set to expire in just one season, and it has been evident for some time that the young Frenchman has been weighing his alternatives.”

The increasing fascination is rational, considering Cherki’s prodigious abilities and adaptability in the game. As clubs seek to strengthen their midfield options, Cherki’s technical prowess and ingenuity make a persuasive case.

Twenty-year-old Rayan Cherki has performed exceptionally well for Lyon this season. In 33 appearances in the competition, he has accumulated one assist and six goals. Significantly, his performance is supported by noteworthy underlying statistics that demonstrate his potential. To illustrate, Cherki’s shot-creating actions per 90 are ranked 93rd, while his expected assisted goals per 90 are in the 80th percentile (0.26). His shot-total-to-ass-towards average is 2.96.

Even more remarkable is the fact that he achieves averages of over 4 out of 90 attempts, which places him in the 99th percentile. His ability to generate and convert scoring opportunities, which is crucial for any attacking midfielder, is highlighted by these statistics. Furthermore, his xG (expected goals) and xAG (expected assisted goals) are 5.2 and 4.2, respectively, which demonstrate his substantial impact on the offensive performance of the team. Although Cherki does not possess the most goals scored, his contributions in terms of opportunity generation and buildup play are of immense value.

An analysis of the statistics pertaining to Cherki and Harvey Elliott of Liverpool reveals several noteworthy disparities. Elliott’s xG (2.7) and xAG (3.5) are lower than Cherki’s xG (5.2) and xAG (4.2), respectively, demonstrating Elliott’s inferior positioning and playmaking capabilities. In contrast, Elliott’s pass completion rate stands at 83.7%, while Cherki’s falls short at 77.6%. This implies that although Cherki’s play may involve greater risk-taking, which may result in more frequent turnovers, his team frequently gains advantageous opportunities at great value.

In addition, Cherki has a greater frequency of touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 minutes (8.1) than Elliott (7.1), suggesting that the former is better positioned and more proactive in his approach. This particular facet of his game has the potential to introduce an additional depth to Liverpool’s offensive strategy. Despite the fact that they are on opposing teams, both youthful attackers are left-footed and operate in the attacking midfield or right flank positions.

Probability and Fee
Transfermarkt estimates Cherki’s current market value to be €25 million; his contract is set to expire in June 2025. Cherki could flourish and advance further in a more competitive environment, given Lyon’s difficulties this season. Given his age and caliber, his potential transfer fee is reasonable, particularly considering the influence he could have on a Premier League club.

In light of the fact that Premier League clubs require attacking options and creative depth in the midfield, Cherki appears to be a plausible target. His effectiveness in breaching defenses and providing assists and goals renders him an invaluable asset. It is not unexpected for one of the three clubs mentioned to pursue Cherki this summer, given that his playing style is in perfect harmony with Liverpool’s dynamic, high-pressing system. However, it would not be unexpected if PSG did the same.