Zidane relies on Cherki as a link, but reveals a defensive weakness

In the French Federation's training centre, the ball keeps moving relentlessly around Rayan Cherki, 22‑year‑old of Manchester City, while Zinédine Zidane watches every move. It is the first session of the new manager, who has decided to experiment with the young striker in the unusual role of a midfield playmaker.

A studied repositioning

Zidane has long worked on this position before the trip to Turkey, and he chose to place Cherki there for the first time as manager. The Manchester City player confirmed that he could influence the game from a deeper area, thus adding a new dimension to the construction of the French 4‑3‑5.

During the session, Cherki touched 88 balls, more than any other French midfielder or striker present. His technique served as a refuge when the Blues were under pressure, and he even found gaps to deliver a withdrawn cross that could have become an assist.

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Gaps to correct

Despite this impressive activity, the problem appeared away from the ball: Cherki sometimes dropped the instructions, was late on certain defensive runs and took risks in dangerous areas. He limited his total to eleven lost balls, but his discipline remains below that required of a midfielder operating near his own defence.

The manager does not see this experiment as temporary. He believes that Cherki could continue to develop as a playmaker while retaining the possibility of occupying a more offensive position, especially before the next match against Belgium.

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Since the first trainings, Zidane has given Cherki very precise instructions, aiming to protect the player while fully integrating him into the system. The challenge remains to ensure that Cherki's natural creativity is not stifled, but that his discipline improves when the ball no longer passes through him.