France World Cup winner Dugarry questions Cherki’s hype after friendly display

France World Cup winner Christophe Dugarry has voiced sharp criticism of Manchester City midfielder Rayan Cherki following his performance in France’s 1-0 friendly victory over Colombia.

Speaking on RMC, Dugarry questioned the maturity and consistency of the young attacker, arguing that Cherki’s talent alone does not justify the level of praise he receives.

“Who is this player who can afford to stop when he loses the ball? Who is this player who, every time he touches the ball, is in performance?” Dugarry asked, highlighting what he sees as lapses in focus.

While acknowledging Cherki’s potential, the former France international drew comparisons with other emerging talents.

“Stop talking about Cherki like that. We all agree, he’s a very good player, there’s no doubt. But excuse me, what does he have more than Olise, Doué, Dembélé, Barcola and many others? But stop!” Dugarry added.

He stressed that, despite earning a spot in the national team rotation, Cherki must deliver more consistent performances before being considered among France’s elite.

“Today, Cherki will be in the rotation, and good for the France team, but there is nothing more. He is a player who still needs consistency and to be much better over time. He needs to show, prove, demonstrate… Oh, Cherki, it’s not Zidane,” Dugarry concluded.

The comments come amid growing debate over Cherki’s role in the French setup, with many fans and pundits divided between lauding his flair and questioning his readiness for regular international duties.