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Credit: Imago / Hasan Karim - Breaking Media
Harri Burton
Tue 5 August 2025 17:47, UK
West Ham fans can breathe a sigh of relief as Pep Guardiola searches for Kevin De Bruyne’s successor at Man City.
The Belgian quickly wrote his name into the Premier League record books, notching 108 goals and 177 assists during his decade-long spell in England, leaving with 15 major trophies to his name.
During the Norwegian’s first 18 months at the Etihad, De Bruyne had assisted 16 of his goals, more than any other player teeing up their teammate in Europe’s top five leagues.
Their relationship only blossomed further from there, with the Citizens eventually lifting the Champions League title during the 2022/23 campaign, but Haaland has now been left distraught by De Bruyne’s exit.
https://x.com/ManCity/status/1649173596953264128
While Bernardo Silva, Omar Marmoush, Phil Foden, Savinho, and Jeremy Doku have all added to the goal contributions, the arrivals of Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri could not be more welcome.
However, Guardiola does not appear to be done in the transfer market just yet, with Football Insider understanding that Man City have set their sights on Lucas Paqueta following the dropping of his charges from the FA.
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The 2024/25 campaign was a fall from grace for the Brazilian international, but with 13 goals and 14 assists in the two previous campaigns in West London, his talents were evident for all to see.
Lucas Paqueta’s West Ham stats (Credit: Imago)
In progressive passes, he dropped from the 95th percentile to the 80th percentile in just a matter of months [FBref], and that was clear in his playing style last season.
Without hundreds of millions of pounds already spent this summer, though, Guardiola needs to look no further than his current squad to find the next iconic playmaker at the Etihad.
While Paqueta’s stats are all very impressive, ranking in the top 76 and 84 percentiles for progressive passes and touches in the attacking penalty area [FBref] against midfielders in the top five leagues, it is nothing compared to the new signing.
In comparison, in the last year, Cherki is ranked amongst the top 99, 90 and 88 percentiles for progressive passes, successful take-ons, and touches in the attacking penalty area [FBref], rising above most playmakers.
With 35 assists in his last three seasons for Lyon, the Frenchman can begin to learn the role that De Bruyne played so well, but with 53 assists in the same time, Haaland will need to be patient.
(Credit Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)
It is extremely clear that not many other players in the top five leagues are as good technically on the ball as Cherki, and Guardiola will be able to mould him into the perfect partner for City’s sensational striker.
With Haaland experiencing his worst campaign so far last term, it will be no coincidence that De Bruyne only started 19 Premier League games, spending a lot of time on the sidelines via injury.
Cherki has already stamped his mark on the squad, notching two goal contributions and creating three key chances, and supporters will be excited to see the 21-year-old grow, mature, and flourish at the club.
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