England's post-Kane era finally looks far more rosy

It's too easy for Mayra Ramirez! Clinical Chelsea are looking ominous

How it feels to beat Lionel Messi

Santos, Doak & eight best Premier League loanees of the season

Saudi Arabia or MLS beckons for Pogba after Juve release

'Please leave him alone!' - Deschamps sends out Mbappe plea

Mendes responds to Ronaldo criticism of Portugal players

Ronaldo stunner the cherry on top for five-star Portugal 

Where's Leo?! Messi invisible as Argentina upset by Paraguay

Amorim told he's already made his first mistake at Man Utd

Kroos opens door to Real Madrid return 

How to watch Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson from anywhere

Vini's nightmare goes on as Brazil drop more WCQ points

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Originally omitted Lyon attacking midfielder from squad</li><li>Brought into the side due to injuries elsewhere</li><li>Turned in star showing after initial snub</li></ul>

'Means what it means' - Thierry Henry hopeful he 'annoyed' Rayan Cherki with France U21 snub as he challenges Lyon star to 'show character all the time'

UEFA Nations League A

Italy

France

Ligue 1

Reims

Lyon

Henry backed Cherki to rediscover his best form after a difficult run at Lyon that has seen his stock drop this season. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/psg-and-chelsea-alert-lyon-willing-sell-eur20m-rated-rayan-cherki-january/blt4671a009a2becb3b" target="_blank">The midfielder was highly sought after last January</a>, and even on the periphery of the France senior side. But Henry dropped him ahead of the March break - only bringing him in due to shortages elsewhere.

WHAT HAPPENED?

<a href="https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2024/he-needs-to-show-consistency-thierry-henry-challenges-rayan-cherki-to-make-the-next-step/" target="_blank">In a press conference</a>, Henry insisted that Cherki needs to return to form: "He should have been annoyed for the last three months, shouldn’t he?” joked Henry when he explained his selection choices in a press conference on Monday. "He has woken up. That’s good. Not seeing his name on the list should have annoyed him. He needs to show consistency because there is a huge difference between sometimes showing character and showing character all the time."

WHAT THIERRY HENRY SAID

The 20-year-old seems to have reacted to his sub, scoring his first goal of the season against Toulouse over the weekend. After his performance, Henry asserted that Cherki can still be one of the best in the world: "I’m not talking about his quality, because I have never seen a player in history who dribbles as quickly as him, with both feet. But he made a thunderous debut, very young and to not be starting matches today, that means what it means."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The attacking midfielder will hope to crack the XI for Henry's side as they take on the Ivory Coast and United States this month. After that, he is set to return to France, where he will hope to make an impact for a recovering Lyon side - who are now 10th in Ligue 1.

WHAT NEXT FOR CHERKI?

'Means what it means' - Thierry Henry hopeful he 'annoyed' Rayan Cherki with France U21 snub as he challenges Lyon star to 'show character all the time' | Goal.com

France U21 manager Thierry Henry has called on former Chelsea target Rayan Cherki to rediscover his best after handing him a international call up

&apos;Means what it means&apos; - Thierry Henry hopeful he &apos;annoyed&apos; Rayan Cherki with France U21 snub as he challenges Lyon star to &apos;show character all the time&apos;