Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki was back at his formative club, Olympique Lyonnais, on Sunday. He witnessed his former side beat OGC Nice 2-0 at the Groupama Stadium.

Amid financial troubles, Cherki left Lyon to join Manchester City over the summer. He has since consolidated his place in the France set-up ahead of the World Cup, thanks to his performances at the Etihad. Since making the move for a fee of over €35m, he has netted nine goals and registered nine assists in 33 games in all competitions.

Cherki on his Lyon return: ‘I am trying to spend time where I am happy.’

But on Sunday night, he was back in France and at OL, for whom he played 185 games (29 goals, 45 assists), having come through the academy. He saw Paulo Fonseca’s side beat Le Gym thanks to goals from Corentin Tolisso and Noah Nartey. 

The win consolidated their place on the podium in Ligue 1 and was their 13th in a row in all competitions; no team in Europe’s top five divisions is on a better run. “It is nice to come back. A 13th win in a row is extraordinary. I am proud to see where Lyon are right now. I wish them all the best,” the Manchester City forward told Ligue 1 Plus.

On his trip back to Lyon, he added, “I am trying to spend time where I am happy. That is important for me.”