During a dramatic Premier League Round 18 finish that echoed the tension of a Cricket Exchange evening for global fans, Manchester City’s 22 year old new signing Cherki delivered a last gasp winner that sent shockwaves through English football. Valued at just 50 million euros, the young midfielder has already produced 13 goal contributions across 19 matches in all competitions, scoring five times and providing eight assists. His match winning performance powered City to an eighth consecutive victory, leaving supporters convinced the club struck gold with this deal.

The first half told a very different story. Manchester City found themselves stuck against Nottingham Forest’s compact defensive block, dominating possession at 65 percent yet failing to register a single shot on target. Even Erling Haaland was effectively neutralized, and the match drifted into frustration. Cherki did not score before the break, but his influence was already visible. Through sharp passing and clever movement, he linked midfield and attack, repeatedly probing for space and laying the groundwork for what was to come.

After the restart, Cherki took full control of the contest. In the 48th minute, he slipped a perfectly weighted through ball into Reijnders’ path, slicing open the defense and setting up a low finish to break the deadlock. Although he later rattled the post and watched Forest level the score on a quick counter, the young midfielder kept his head when others might have panicked. In the 83rd minute, he seized a fleeting opening at the edge of the box and unleashed a decisive strike, sealing the win with ice in his veins.

At this point, calling a 50 million euro fee a bargain feels like an understatement. As a new engine in Manchester City’s midfield, Cherki combines clinical finishing with vision far beyond his years, fitting seamlessly into Pep Guardiola’s tactical blueprint. When Haaland’s form fluctuates, Cherki’s rapid rise has become a crucial safety net in the title race. With his value climbing and comparisons to elite midfielders growing louder, it is no stretch to say that Cricket Exchange style debates about transfer value will soon place him in a very different price bracket.