Jesus is bundle of energy who could be ideal partner for Aguero
ONE of the intriguing subplots to Pep Guardiola’s first, largely experimental, season in England came via Manchester City’s South American axis.
The future of Sergio Aguero was by no means certain, a situation only amplified by the January arrival of Gabriel Jesus.
Fresh from Palmeiras, living in the city centre with his mates and loving the Premier League life, the new kid in town upstaged the star who had carried this club for so long.
The early indicators were not good for Aguero, who was on the bench for four consecutive games as Jesus scored three in his opening week in Manchester.
Injury struck for the then 19-year-old, his elder taking up the mantle again and producing the sort of displays to have afforded him hero status at the Etihad. The question, however, remained. Both have unquestionable ability, but could Guardiola find room for both of them?
The answer is yes, evidenced in the final two games of the campaign — a rout of Watford and victory over West Brom — and again yesterday at Brighton.
Guardiola’s signings in the wide areas this summer have given him greater confidence to play two up front and there are a guaranteed 30 goals lying in City’s samba boots. Probably more in reality.
One of those came at the Amex, although clinical finishing had
deserted both until Aguero’s goal with 20 minutes remaining.
The Argentine had skewed wide when clean through and Jesus came up against an agile Mathew Ryan, who flung out his left arm to stop his header.
The signs for their partnership were positive, however, and centred on the youthfulness of the Brazilian. He is a bundle of energy, dropping deep to link play and running beyond.
He was unlucky to have handled when charging through and bravely taking a hit from Ryan, but more impressive was his tracking back when Brighton broke.
Jesus is effectively lightening Aguero’s load. If this formation continues, that should free up the senior to bypass Eric Brook as City’s most prolific scorer of all time before 2017 is out. Just eight to go until the magic 178.