Pep Guardiola drops major hint about Rayan Cherki after tough Man City debut

Manchester City began the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with a 2‑0 win over Wydad AC, but the spotlight shifted late in the game due to a controversial sending‑off.

Playing at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, City looked commanding for most of the match. Their youth and depth were on full display .

Phil Foden opened the scoring within two minutes, showcasing the clinical finishing and high football IQ that have made him a standout under Guardiola .

His goal came as a result of a patient build‑up, reflecting the possession-based structure Guardiola so values .

Jeremy Doku added a second just before half‑time, illustrating City’s blend of patient buildup and swift offensive bursts .

Despite the dominance, young fullback Rico Lewis was shown a straight red card in the 88th minute for a follow-through that caught Wydad substitute Samuel Obeng .

The decision rattled Guardiola, who vehemently defended Lewis. He stressed that the tackle lacked malice and labeled the red card “unnecessary”—though he conceded the referee’s call and VAR review stand .

Pep explained that Lewis “was on the grass” and “never intended to hurt anyone,” but the referee deemed the high leg sufficient for dismissal .

VAR confirmed the call, prompting Guardiola to say: “The ref had a different opinion, he’s the boss… we have to accept it,” highlighting his disapproval while acknowledging protocol .

Wydad’s Obeng himself agreed Lewis had no harmful intent—though acknowledged the possibility of a red card —saying, “He has to apologise to me — not me to him” .

City’s win, however, remains a strong statement of intent. With a blend of youth and depth, Pep’s squad passed their opener with flying colors—but not without raising concerns over officiating consistency .

On the bright side, the debut of talents like Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki added excitement and tactical flexibility, further strengthening the squad for upcoming fixtures .

Guardiola’s comments also hinted at Cherki’s growing role, though he didn’t elaborate—suggesting the manager sees potential in the youngster following this demanding debut .

As for Rico Lewis, he’ll sit out the next game due to the automatic one-match ban, a blow to both his development and City’s defensive depth .

Still, Guardiola’s public support reflects the high trust he places in the young defender—emphasizing that this controversial setback shouldn’t define his growth .

Looking ahead, Manchester City draw Al Ain next in Group G and will aim to maintain momentum. The Lewis incident might add narrative—but the team’s depth and Pep’s vision remain clear priorities.