Jesus is ready to step out of Serg’s shadow
PEP Guardiola was as good as his word after promising heartbroken City fans that he intends Sergio Aguero to go out in a blaze of glory.
The worst-case scenario for everyone - club, manager, supporters and the Argentine legend - was always going to be that City’s pursuit of four trophies would submerge any sentimentality over the farewell to their all-time top goalscorer.
By picking Aguero for a game against Leicester, Guardiola got off on the right foot - although it was also a canny, pragmatic selection to make on many levels. The fact that City also got the win justified that decision and also served to keep that group of players - no doubt disgruntled at a lack of international action and, in some cases City involvement - feeling part of the push.
Guardiola said that Aguero’s response in training has been excellent since he had the tough task of sitting down with the 32-year-old to tell him he would not be offered a new contract when his current deal expires this summer.
It was a smart team selection, but it was one that clearly had an eye on the Borussia Dortmund game on Tuesday.
The chances of Aguero starting in that one are slim indeed, with Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden, Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva all queuing up to
return to the team, and all in fine form.
Aguero looked rusty at the King Power, just as he did in his last start, at Fulham three weeks ago.
It was noticeable that City’s pressing was not as fierce and effective as normal with Aguero leading the line, and Gabriel Jesus pushed out wide.
The Brazil number nine is often held up against Aguero in terms of his goalscoring numbers, but in this game, it was Aguero who came out on the wrong side of the comparison.
Jesus was competitive, quick, dangerous and grabbed a goal, while Aguero was restricted to a couple of wild volleys and very little contribution.
Jesus feels like a player who is bubbling under, who could emerge from the daunting shadow of a legend to become a legendary striker in his own right.