Enzo Maresca has unlocked a frightening new Man City partnership
Considering Enzo Fernandez wasn’t even supposed to be starting the game against Coventry City, the Manchester City midfielder comfortably settled into his new surroundings on Saturday.
Speaking of comfort, Rayan Cherki is so relaxed on the eye it’s as if he’s wearing slippers such is the poise and grace with which the playmaker effortlessly yet decisively drifts across the turf.
Fernandez and Cherki were two of City‘s standout performers in the win over Coventry and the pair showed signs of striking up an early and dangerous partnership that will have defences at home and across Europe worried.
Cherki’s start to the season has been sensational and while he didn’t manage a goal or assist against Coventry in his 65 minutes on the pitch, he was the game’s standout attacking player. He hit the post early on and was a constant threat with his quick footwork, his vision, awareness and creativity. Every he time he got on the ball there was an expectation of what was to come.
Fernandez, who lasted 10 minutes longer than Cherki before he too was replaced to a standing ovation, played in a more advanced role and regularly got forward to threaten the Coventry backline.
The former Chelsea man displayed a sharp turn in the first half and played a little pass into Cherki who saw his shot blocked, with Fernandez then latching onto the rebound and seeing two efforts of his own deflected away from danger.
The closing stages of the opening period saw the two combine again to send Erling Haaland through when Fernandez played a slide-rule pass into Cherki, who flicked the ball round the corner to the onrushing Haaland, who was denied by a smart save from visiting keeper Carl Rushworth.
Rayan Cherki was superb for Man City against Coventry
Considering Fernandez had had just two training sessions with his new team-mates since arriving on Monday and hadn’t played since the opening weekend of the season having sat out Chelsea’s games since then ahead of his switch to the Etihad, the 25-year-old looked sharp and fit.
Maresca labelled him a winner on several occasions in his press conference on Friday and spoke again after the win over Coventry over the World Cup winner’s ability to help this City side be successful. Cherki is already doing his bit. Both have a winning mentality, a maverick streak and a swagger.
Maresca’s City are already looking one of the league’s great entertainers and in Cherki and Fernandez, who shared a hug before kick off against Coventry, they have two of the superstar showdown.
