Manchester City forward Rayan Cherki is currently "one of the best players in Europe", according to manager Enzo Maresca.

Cherki, 23, has started this season in impressive fashion for City, scoring six goals and providing two assists in 11 matches so far.

The France international pulled out his bag of tricks and flicks during Tuesday's 5-1 Champions League hammering of AEK Athens.

"I like when the players are happy, 100%," said Maresca. "I also like simple things.

"The most difficult thing in football is to do the easy things - don't complicate it. Sometimes players that are so good like Rayan, they can do that. In this moment, Rayan is one of the best players in Europe.

"When he is in the right position - that means when we are able to find him between the lines - he is always dangerous and he has the quality in the box.

"If we are able to keep him there and find him between the lines and in the right position, he is one of the best players in Europe."