The last time Paolo Rongoni spoke to Rayan Cherki it was with a proposition.
The pair worked together at Lyon where Rongoni, now on the staff of the Algeria national team, was head of strength and conditioning when a teenage Cherki was taking his first steps in the first team.
“I had a small conversation two years ago because I hoped he might come in and play for Algeria but unfortunately he chose another cap,” recalls Rongoni, speaking about Cherki, who has Algerian heritage, to the Manchester Evening News from America.
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Cherki, who had already been capped by France at youth level, stayed with the country of his birth and last year made his debut for Didier Deschamps’ side. He could light up the World Cup when the French begin their campaign against Senegal on Tuesday. A few hours after that game kicks off, Algeria start their tournament with a mouthwatering clash against Argentina.
Rongoni and Co will be without Cherki, but having seen the midfielder enthral and entertain at the Etihad this season, you can’t blame the Italian for asking the question.
“He was very kind when we spoke,” Rongoni said. “He is a good person, a funny person but a really good person.”
Cherki has captured the hearts of City fans in his debut campaign. There’s been great goals, Rabona assists, and cup final keepie-uppies.
His attitude speaks to a player who, in his own words, ‘plays to put a smile on fans’ faces.’ But behind those magical moments has been a work ethic, a determination and a desire to improve. Over the course of the campaign, the Frenchman became more and more important and influential, earning the complete trust of Pep Guardiola.
That work-rate was honed in Lyon, under Rongoni’s watch, and while Cherki would much rather have had a ball at his feet, there was no cutting corners with the hard yards.
“I can say Rayan doesn’t like work,” Rongoni chuckles with the experience of someone who has coached hundreds of players who would rather be on the grass than in the gym. “But he is a worker and with me he was a worker. But he liked the ball, like every player like him. He is a football player, he doesn’t like to stay in the gym or run, like every player. But there was never any conflict or anything like this. I think his success was his work, he just missed the football sense but today he has it.”
He’s shown that in spades at City, there’s been countless occasions where he’s spotted a pass that no-one else would, seen a space that no-one else would, or scored a goal that no-one else would.
Paolo Rongoni during his time at Napoli
But behind the scenes, he’s worked on his game, embraced the coaching of Pep Guardiola and become something of a joker in the first team dressing room. He’s well-liked and respected by his teammates and, still only 22, has the potential to improve further and become a key part of the new-look City.
Rongoni, like most at Lyon, knew Cherki was something special when he was coming through the ranks, even if there was something of a tempestuous side to the young playmaker.
“I remember an amazing talent, a young guy with very strong potential, with a personality,” he recalls. “Maybe when he was young he had a strong personality! In that moment, he was two people – a young guy and an amazing football player. Anytime we had a conflict with attitude or behaviour, it was because he was young, 16 or 17 years old, but an incredible talent.
“I remember many times speaking with his brother about his weight and to put into his head the right diet for a professional and we started to build this Rayan.
“Two or three times per week, depending on whether he was playing in the game, he did heavy sessions of strength and conditioning to build his body and himself.”
Cherki came through the academy at his hometown club and made his Lyon debut at just 16. He was long touted as a potential superstar and in France began to marry his obvious ability with an awareness.
“It was not easy for him because he has a talent and a feeling with the ball but not a football sense,” remembers Rongoni. “He didn’t understand what was happening around him. He controlled himself and the ball perfectly, but around him was another world. But with time and coaching he has understood this process with movement and the pass and today he is a complete player. I am really happy for him and his career.”