Frankfurt: In what world could Lyon do without its “fantastic” Cherki-Fofana duo in 2025?

At OL Park,

After champing at the bit during the week for two years, due to lack of a European Cup, Lyon supporters experienced a dream evening on Thursday against Frankfurt (3-2). Well, that was on the condition of not binging in front of Canal + until 11:07 p.m. Because when concluding his short post-match interview, Rayan Cherki was not the most reassuring when discussing the hypothesis of a transfer from this winter transfer window: “For the moment there are still two matches [d’ici Noël]we’ll see at the end of the season if I’m still here or not.”

The international Espoirs tricolor may have worn a slightly embarrassed smile at the microphone, but the economic emergency in which OL finds itself, demoted to Ligue 2 as a precautionary measure by the DNCG a month ago, remains a stressful reality. Especially since nothing guarantees that the inevitable sales of players in this (overly) stocked squad, during the January transfer window, will spare the two offensive nuggets Rayan Cherki (21 years old) but also Malick Fofana (19 years old). And good luck to Pierre Sage to qualify for the Champions League next May, if one of the two (or worse both) were to leave.

Fofana, a magical and clinical seven-second sprint

In the meantime, the weeks pass and the breath of fresh air that envelops their enthusiasm and their technical connection does not fade, quite the contrary. This is how in the 50th minute of play of this undecided 6th day of the Europa League against Eintracht Frankfurt, at 1-1, the candy moment par excellence between Cherki and Fofana changed the evening for the 41,091 spectators at Décines . Certainly, it all started with an immense recovery by captain Alexandre Lacazette at the feet of Arthur Theate, along the touchline.

When Rayan Cherki inherits this ball 45 m from Kevin Trapp's goal, he seems to be one against two, with no real possibility. At this time, Malick Fofana is still in his own camp, out of the race (screenshot above). Except that the dragster from Aalst then launches into an anthology sprint, to brilliantly conclude a counter-model seven seconds later. But how were the two OL wisps able to go all the way on this one?

“Rayan, he’s comfortable everywhere”

“I sprint from the middle of the field, and Rayan gives me the ball at the right time,” says the young Belgian. His pass was perfect and I shot with a touch with my left foot. We understand each other with Rayan, he knows how I play, and vice versa. » Since his return to the professional group at the end of September (via his contract extension), Rayan Cherki has performed dribbles, each more hair-raising than the last. But it was by staring at his direct opponents before soberly achieving a delicious caviar with his right foot for his friend, in the right space, that he signed one of his most striking/decisive actions of the season.

The striking proof of a milestone reached, in the vision of the game, simplicity and altruism, in this ex-soloist who is often so frustrating. “Rayan is having a truly exceptional start to the season,” summarizes Corentin Tolisso. Whether on the right side or as a number 10, he is comfortable everywhere. » Also impressive for many weeks, the Lyon defensive midfielder also took advantage of Cherki's view on Thursday with a masterful backheel, at the origin of his attempt on the post in the 7th minute.

“They are improving every day,” appreciates Matic

Twenty minutes later, another long shot from Corentin Tolisso ended up at the bottom thanks to an inspired deflection, all spontaneity, from the inevitable 21-year-old attacking midfielder (1-1). But the main difficulty, when we attend a match of Pierre Sage's OL this fall, is to determine which of Rayan Cherki or Malick Fofana is the most fun, and the most able to reconcile us with a football whose raw talent is almost disappearing.

“They are hard to take, they are confident and they are in sparkling form,” lists Corentin Tolisso. Even the experienced hypra Nemanja Matic (36 years old) no longer really knows what posture to adopt in the face of the explosive tandem. “They are good but I don't want to say too much about them because they are so young that they can still improve,” slips the Serbian midfielder first. Before letting go, he too: “But let's be honest, they have fantastic qualities and they are improving every day. Their potential is great, in our club as for many big clubs in the world.”

Cherki called by Deschamps in March 2025?

And come on, here's a piece put back into the jukebox of transfer window rumors with juicy amounts. All that would be missing is that Didier Deschamps decides to summon Rayan Cherki to further increase his value. “I think that today, Rayan is looked at and he is considered,” Pierre Sage reacted on the subject on Thursday evening. His experience at the Olympics was not very positive for him. I think he has other arguments there. If he is called up, he will deserve it. »

Our file on OL

The next selection of the Blues being in March, will he still be from Lyon at that time? Whether it's for his news masterclass against Frankfurt or for his pre-match press conference on Wednesday (“I found the man and the footballer I wanted to be. Today, football is less watched because it is robotic, and me, I want to give pleasure to people”), we cannot imagine him with another jersey in 2025. Nor does his Belgian teammate with a youthful face, who does not seem in a hurry to leave his club.