Youngster’s excitement over loan to New York
CITY have sent young Venezuelan midfielder Yangel Herrera on loan to sister club New York City.
The 19-year-old was a late deadline day signing by the Blues from Atletico Venezuela, where he performed well enough to earn an international call-up for a friendly against Galicia. Herrera was not bought with the City first team squad in mind, and he will now link up with Patrick Vieira’s squad in pre-season training ready for their new Major League Soccer campaign, which starts on March 5.
The six-footer, who can also play as an attacking midfielder or centre-back, told New York City’s official website: “I’m very happy to take this next step in my career.
“To have the opportunity to play with such a high calibre of players is very exciting and to join a team that has a good football philosophy is very important to me.
“I’m looking forward to playing under Patrick Vieira as he’s someone who played my position and I know I’ll be able to learn a lot from him.
“I want to absorb all the good things from Patrick and the other players.” The loan move to New York is dependent on Herrera’s application for a visa and his international transfer card both going through the authorities smoothly.
Herrera began his career with Venezuelan side Monagas as a 16-year-old, helping them to promotion in his first season and landing a move to Atletico the following season. GABRIEL Jesus remains ‘strong and focused’ despite facing a fight to play again this season.
The City striker suffered a fractured metatarsal during Monday’s 2-0 win against Bournemouth, with scans later confirming Pep Guardiola’s worst fears.
Jesus now faces the prospect of up to three months of recovery, which would rule him out until mid-May.
It is a devastating blow to both the 19-year-old and his manager, following his outstanding start since his £27m move from Palmeiras in January.
City are waiting to get more of an exact timeline for his recuperation, but Guardiola is still going to be without the striker for an extensive period.
Jesus’ brother – who has been by his side since his move to England – delivered an emotional message of support, backing the Brazilian international to be back and scoring goals soon.
Referring to his trademark celebration, in which he mimics calling his mother, Vera Lucia Diniz, Felipe Henrique said: “We are going with everything and soon you will be sending the ‘hello mother’ to our Brazilian people and our people of Manchester.
“Even in this complicated moment you are strong, focused, determined and blessed.
“God chose you as our number 33 in Palmeiras, our 9 in the national team and our 33 in Mcity.
“We are very proud of you, everyone here likes you, in Brazil I do not even need to talk (about it).”
Sending his message on Instagram, Felipe Henrique added: “I want you to know that we are together for everything in this life, in front of all the difficult phases of our life, this we will take, like we take the others. “We cannot forget to always thank God for everything that is happening in our lives and even for the accident.” Jesus has been pivotal to City’s rise up to second in the Premier League, scoring three goals since his arrival – including the late winner against Swansea earlier in the month. He was named ahead of Sergio Aguero for the third game in succession against Bournemouth, but landed awkwardly on his ankle after just 15 minutes. On Tuesday it was confirmed that he’d suffered a fracture and he was pictured wearing a protective boot. His injury provides fresh opportunities for Aguero, Kelechi Iheanacho and Nolito to force their way back into the picture ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup fifth round tie with Huddersfield. But Guardiola will be desperate to the get the man he described as ‘the future’ back on the pitch as soon as possible to aid City’s Champions League challenge. Felipe Henrique