Rayan Cherki has been tipped to be as successful at Manchester City as Kevin De Bruyne by Gael Clichy. The former City left-back used to coach the maverick attacking midfielder when he played for France's under-21 side and gave special insight into what he can offer Pep Guardiola's side. And he outlined the one aspect of his game that he needs to improve upon in order to truly shine at the Etihad Stadium.

Clichy hails Cherki's potential under Guardiola

Cherki scored on his debut for City against Wolves following his £30m ($40m) move from Lyon in the summer although he picked up an injury in his second game against Tottenham, knocking him out of action for two months. And Clichy, who played for City between 2011 and 2017, believes the midfielder can be a massive success for Guardiola's side.

AdvertisementClichy: Cherki can reach KDB levels

Clichy told GOAL, via : "If we talk about the quality of the player, I haven't seen anyone that good. That's a big quote, but I do feel that if he can bring his off-the-ball game to a certain level, I think we could be talking about a player that can can reach Kevin De Bruyne’s numbers, because in tight spaces, in key areas of the pitch, he can create danger. And this is what you want at City. When you play against a low block team with a defence of five, there's not much space. So you need to have the quality on the on the wing, which I think City are lacking a little bit. You know, you go from Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez and Leroy Sane which for me, as a full back, were a nightmare to play against. I think they lost that."

Getty ImagesMan City star still has room for improvement

As well as lavishing praise on Cherki, Clichy pointed to one aspect of his game which needs work. He explained: "He will need to be able to show that off ball, out of possession, he can perform. Because we know this is his problem. This is his weakness. It was his weakness when he was with us in France. So far, what I've seen in England, this is what people are thinking about him. So if Pep manages to take him to a different level out of possession, I think he will be a tremendous player for City. And I think this is the kind of player that Pep wants. Now in the Premier League it's not just about having the ball, it's also how you deal with transitions. And there is the big job for for Pep."

Cherki can thrive under 'brilliant signing' Donnarumma

Clichy was also excited to see how City's new signing Gianluigi Donnarumma can improve the team, even though he is a different profile of goalkeeper to Ederson and unlike the type of shot-stoppers Guardiola has previously favoured such as the Manuel Neuer and Victor Valdes. He said: "I think it's an amazing signing. A goalkeeper first of all is there to make saves, and he's the kind of guy that will make big saves in big games. So I can see why people are saying that Pep is going against his own philosophy, but he's a goalkeeper who just achieved a treble in a season that we've never seen in France, with a coach that is from Spain who has the same philosophy as Pep. And surely, if Luis Enrique has done it with Donnarumma, I'm pretty sure Pep will find a way to work with him."