While he's been celebrated by City manager Pep Guardiola and teammates since arriving in the summer from Lyon, Cherki has been portrayed as a walking controversy back home in France.
But away with Les Bleus this week, Cherki told Telefoot: "I've often been made out to be a difficult player to coach... A difficult player, when that's not the case at all. I've never had any problems with my coaches.
"I'm a simple person, I like to joke, I like to please my coach, I like to please the people who come to the stadium. I've said it often and I'll continue to say it."
He added, "That's why it's simple: you put me on the pitch and I try to do what I have to do. Sometimes it can be complicated, like for everyone. Now I'm happy, but I definitely have to do better. I'm not satisfied with my myself."