Cherki Sidelined for Two Months in Major Injury Blow to Manchester City

Manchester City have been dealt a significant setback with the news that Rayan Cherki will be sidelined for approximately two months due to a thigh injury.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder, who joined the Premier League champions from Lyon during the summer, was forced to withdraw from the squad ahead of the recent clash with Brighton & Hove Albion. His absence was confirmed by Pep Guardiola following the 2-1 defeat at the Amex Stadium, with the manager acknowledging that the Frenchman faces an extended spell on the sidelines.  

Cherki’s injury comes at a challenging point in City’s season, with the club entering a demanding run of fixtures that includes the Manchester derby, a Champions League opener against Napoli, and a trip to Arsenal. His creative influence had been expected to play a key role in Guardiola’s attacking plans, and his absence will require tactical adjustments. The setback also rules him out of France’s upcoming international fixtures, for which he had recently been called up.  

With Cherki unavailable, Guardiola is likely to lean more heavily on other creative options such as Phil Foden, Oscar Bobb, and Bernardo Silva to maintain attacking fluidity. The injury adds to a growing list of fitness concerns within the squad, further testing City’s depth early in the campaign. Despite the blow, Guardiola has expressed confidence that his side can adapt and remain competitive across all competitions while awaiting Cherki’s return.