Redknapp hails Cherki as Premier League genius after City's Palace rout

Cherki's strike midway through the second half proved decisive, with Redknapp singling out the first as a moment of supreme technical brilliance. The assist-maker nutmegged Palace defenders before finishing with clinical precision—a display Redknapp compared to the ball control of Eden Hazard and Georgi Kinkladze.

"He painted a masterpiece," Redknapp told Sky Sports, highlighting Cherki's close-quarters dribbling and composure in tight spaces. The City playmaker's impact proved particularly acute after a subdued first half, reshaping the contest entirely.

Redknapp's commentary underscored a tactical tension: Enzo Maresca's preference for structural midfield control versus Cherki's maverick qualities. Redknapp argued Maresca must embrace the latter, citing Cherki's decisive cameo off the bench against Bournemouth (two assists) as evidence of his game-changing potential.

The pundit drew a parallel to Chelsea's Cole Palmer situation, warning against overconstraining such talents. Whilst squad rotation may sometimes demand tighter formation—particularly if Enzo Fernández arrives—Redknapp insists that moments like City's Palace encounter vindicate granting Cherki freedom.

According to Redknapp, defenders already fear Cherki's two-footed threat in the box. The recommendation: deploy him more aggressively, not less.