Gab your CITY chance! Striker wary of losing place
BRAZIL STAR DETERMINED NOT TO DROP OUT OF GUARDIOLA’S THINKING
GABRIEL Jesus says the level of competition for places at City means he is wary of the danger of being dropped by Pep Guardiola.
Leroy Sane has not started for the Blues so far this campaign – despite winning the Premier League’s Young Player of the Year gong last season – and was omitted from the match-day squad for City’s 2-1 win against Newcastle on Saturday.
And Jesus is determined to avoid slipping out of the reckoning at the Etihad Stadium after scoring once in five appearances this season. “It’s normal with this amazing squad [a player being left out for a game],” the 21-year-old said. “Today it was Sane, but in the future, it’s going to be me or other players too. “I’m going to work hard to avoid that from happening to me, though.” Sane cut a frustrated figure in the stands at the Etihad on Saturday but Guardiola responded with a simple ‘yes’ when asked after the game if he was completely happy with Sané’s attitude, on and off the pitch. And Jesus hopes to see his teammate back in Gabriel Jesus action soon. “We all know the quality Sane has, his importance in the club,” the Brazil international added. “But it’s the beginning of the season, it’s normal that some players have started stronger or are more fit than others. I just hope when he comes back to the team he’s at 100 per cent and he’s able to help us as he’s always done.”
Jesus played 58 minutes against Newcastle as the Blues go into the international break third in the Premier League table, two points adrift of Liverpool, Chelsea and Watford.
But the former Palmeiras forward will not feature in Brazil’s games against the USA and El Salvador after missing out on a place in the national team’s 24-man squad. The City man said he is aware of the reasoning behind Brazil manager Tite’s decision.
“Those things happen,” he explained. “The last few years I have always been called. This time, I’m not.
“It’s normal, I understand. They rang me, they explained it to me and I understood. I hope the national team keeps growing and keeps winning the games.
“I’m always going to support them no matter if I’m in or out of the squad.”