City are doing it all Wright
Jesus aims to prove point
STRIKER Gabriel Jesus wants Manchester City to put down a marker by winning the Carabao Cup.
He insists landing the trophy for a third year running will remind their closest rivals that Pep Guardiola’s men are not a spent force.
The defending champions have been blown away by Liverpool in the title race this season, with Guardiola admitting defeat before Christmas.
But City remain kings of the domestic cup competitions, having won the last five trophies available, including an historic treble last season.
Guardiola’s men can create more history this weekend by becoming the first side to win six domestic titles on the spin.
Having beaten Leicester in the Premier League and Real Madrid in the Champions League in the last week, City go into the clash with Aston Villa brimming with confidence.
And the Brazilian frontman knows it is vital to keep the momentum going and claim the first silverware available.
He said: “Now we have to focus on the final and play to win the first title.
“The challenge is coming and it’s the biggest of the season. Sunday is important.
“It’s been a big week because we played Leicester away, a team with a lot of quality, and went seven points in front of them, and then we won at Real Madrid.
“So we’ve had two very good games – and now it’s a final. It’s important to win the first title of the season.”
Jesus (right) was one of City’s stand-out performers in the Bernabeu on Wednesday after producing one of his (right) finest displays since joining the club from Palmeiras for £32m in 2017.
He was deployed in an unfamiliar leftwing position, but scored the crucial equaliser to help inspire City’s memorable fightback in a 2-1 win.
Jesus, 22, admits he loves playing wherever Guardiola asks him to.
He said: “When I started to play at Palmeiras I was a winger, in the first team. After a year I started to play as the second striker, and after that as the first striker, so I can play there.
“I can play all four front positions, both wings and both striker positions. I enjoy the work.
“It doesn’t matter if I have to run back to help my team-mates,
I am young! I have the power and energy to do this.
“I enjoy the position a lot because I can go back and help the full-backs. I am very comfortable there.”
City are hot favourites to brush aside relegation-threatened Villa, who have won just two of their last nine games in all competitions. But Guardiola knows Villa will rise to the occasion and is taking nothing for granted.
He said: “They are well organised and have a goalkeeper with experience, fast players up front and central defenders with good headers. “We will prepare tactically and know we have an incredible challenge to win the next title.”
SHAUN WRIGHTPHILLIPS has seen Manchester City grow into a global institution since he made his debut for the club at Port Vale 20 years ago.
The former England winger can only marvel at their swagger on the pitch, Raheem Sterling’s evolution as a world-class act and Pep Guardiola’s ability as a coach.
“When I made my debut against Port Vale, in those days they did not even have a shirt that could fit me,” said Wright-Phillips (inset).
“Football clubs have to evolve and City have done that with great backing and great people behind it.”
Wright-Phillips says that City’s appeal has always been Manchester based, while neighbours United had a global reach.
Now the 38-year-old believes his former club are appealing to a wider market, too.
Wright-Phillips wishes he could have enjoyed Guardiola’s coaching, and admits he has been captivated by Sterling’s rise as his successor on City’s frontline.
He said: “As an attacker, who would not want to play for somebody like Pep?
“Every attacking player he has seems to score goals.
“He must have a certain style of playing that benefits an attacker.
“I would have loved the chance to have played under him – unfortunately it never happened.”
He gets a good idea of Guardiola’s skills, though, by watching Sterling.
“Raheem has overcome so much already and his mental strength has been tremendous,” added Wright-Phillips
“He is the perfect role model for a young kid.”