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former liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp cheered Manchester City forward Rayan Cherki The Frenchman was dubbed the ‘signing of the season’ after scoring his second goal in City’s win over Manchester City Newcastle United exist carabao cup.
Manchester City won 2-0 in the first leg of the semi-finals at St James’ Park, with Antoine Semenho opening the scoring and Cherki adding another in the 98th minute.
The Frenchman only came on as a substitute in the 77th minute, but he still found time to create a potentially crucial moment in the game, with his superb finish setting up Newcastle to climb a mountain at the Etihad Stadium just a few weeks later.
Redknapp was full of praise for the 22-year-old, calling him a “wonder”.
“You want to see players lighting up the pitch. Manchester City’s Georgi Kinkladze is a maverick but doesn’t do well without the ball, Cherki gets the job done without the ball,” Redknapp continued.
“He’s an unbelievable signing. The signing of the season for me. I love watching Dallas play football,” he added.
Cherki has now scored six goals and provided nine assists since joining from Lyon this summer. Manchester City spent just €37 millionThe Frenchman scored the winning goal against Nottingham Forest in the league and a stunning goal against Brentford in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
“Cherki is a wizard. Some of the things he’s doing with the ball at the moment are brilliant. Flicking and then getting into the box and shooting,” Redknapp said, highlighting the Frenchman’s late finish.
“You never know how a player like this is going to adapt to the Premier League. Cherki has shown he can do it with and without the ball,” Redknapp added.
The Frenchman’s late strike put City in control of the Carabao Cup semi-final tie as Pep Guardiola’s side look to win a fifth Carabao Cup title under him. The second leg will be played at the Etihad Stadium on February 4 and the final will be played at Wembley Stadium on March 22.