There had to be damn good reasons to give up Best Pastry Chef and go to the Groupama Stadium this Thursday evening against Frankfurt. Rayan Cherki was one. A delicious transmission from the heel for Corentin Tolisso, who shook the post (7e). A lucky goal, with a little kick enough to deflect Tolisso's warhead (again) and surprise Kevin Trapp (27e). A bright pass in a mouse hole for Ernest Nuamah, who in turn hit the post (36e). A ride perfectly concluded with a well-timed offering for Malick Fofana (50e). And a second die pass right away for Nuamah, who did most of the work – but still (54e). The Lyon playmaker delighted, building on his excellent start to the season. At Les Gones, Santa Claus is early.
Ease and sufficiency
How far away it seems, the time when Pierre Sage took his player out at half-time against Stade Rennes. However, it was only January 26, at a time when nothing was going the little magician's way. At the bottom of the wave, he only made four starts during the last 15 days of the championship last season, for an average of 34 minutes of play per match. Not really what you expect from a generational crack. Thierry Henry completely chose to do without it during the international window in March, which was nevertheless decisive in view of the Games. Cherki is also not on the initial roster for the Olympic tournament.
The numerous rakes taken by his coach finally allowed him to participate, but as a supporting role (only one start, 76 minutes of play in total). Too smug. Too nonchalant. Not biting enough. “He has the talent. He must be driven by other feelings when he plays Football.”comments Sage, referring to the need for him to be more engaged and to “disciplines oneself in one’s indiscipline”. Doubt sets in. Should we give up on him and add him to the long list of wasted talents? Hope is fading. OL even reached an agreement with Fulham around a transfer worth 15 million euros. A blood sausage ending, full of bitterness, emerges… But that was before RC10 took the bull by the horns.
And what were you doing at 21?
The Olympic vice-champion has found himself and gives the impression of being aligned with himself, which is felt vividly. « I haven't changed much actuallyhe confided to the press on Wednesday. I found the footballer I want to be. I want to give pleasure to my teammates and the spectators. Football is watched less today, and I want to bring back the football of the past. » A more instinctive football, which gave pride of place to artists. Radiant in his game and in his words, Cherki had to wait until the end of September to launch his season, but he has already equaled his number of goals (5 in 16 matches, as many as in 39 appearances in 2022-2023).
The artist from whom we expected mountains and wonders even before he came of age is finally a 21-year-old kid who is starting to find his cruising speed. Nothing unusual. The existence of phenomena like Kylian Mbappé or Lamine Yamal could sometimes blur the focus. Yes, Cherki is only 21 years old, contrary to what his around 150 matches with OL could sometimes lead us to think. We tended to forget him since he has been part of the panorama for quite a while already, he who was playing with the big guys at just 16 years old. And who became, on January 4, 2020, the youngest scorer in OL history, at 16 years and 140 days old. Thursday evening, Pierre Sage estimated that his protégé had « arguments » to be called up to the French team. He already has enough to (re)make you want to watch football, and for the moment, it's more than enough.
OL dominate Frankfurt and open the doors to qualification
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