PEP PUTS HIS FAITH IN JESUS
He’s just 20 but carries City’s hopes of reaching the Champions League
MANCHESTER CITY’S £27million Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus is to be given a prominent role in their fight for a Champions League place, despite being short of training and match practice following a broken metatarsal.
Jesus, 20, is already viewed as a talisman by City manager Pep Guardiola, who fast-tracked his return with a late substitute’s appearance against Manchester United on Thursday despite the player having taken part in only two practice sessions beforehand.
He is likely to feature for longer at Middlesbrough today, when a City victory would see them climb above Liverpool — who play at Watford on Monday — into third place in the Premier League.
It is unusual for such a young and talented player to be rushed back without warm-up games but Guardiola feels his South American starlet is exceptional.
‘His influence on other teammates is huge,’ said the City boss. ‘Jesus is dynamic and the midfield players look and see how he goes for the press and is aggressive in attacking the penalty area. We are so happy he is back.
‘He has not been able to play more minutes until now but he is physically strong. I am sure he is going to help us until the end of the season.’
Jesus was thrown into Premier League action as soon as he arrived from Palmeiras in January and he went on to score three goals in five matches before suffering his toe injury against Bournemouth in February.
Sergio Aguero is the only City player in double figures this season — the Argentine has 30 goals — and Guardiola is keen to share the burden as his team seek to rescue a disappointing season by finishing in the top four.
‘We saw Jesus in his first game against Tottenham, he made an impact in his first eight minutes,’ he said. ‘We saw against United, he had two chances in five minutes and one goal disallowed by centimetres. So he has this instinct.
‘I always have in my mind what would have happened if he’d been able to play all season. You cannot compete all season with the big teams like Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and be in Europe without the big players in your squad.
‘He is the No9 for Brazil, he is a guy that everyone knows how good he is, how special.’
Despite Aguero’s fine goalscoring record, Guardiola has earmarked the more mobile Jesus as part of a glittering future, alongside Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling.
He was frustrated the forward could not arrive from South America until January and even more so when he was injured a month later.
But with City expected to dominate most of their remaining games, against Boro, Crystal Palace, Leicester, West Brom and Watford, Guardiola could pair Jesus and Aguero together in an attempt to break down stubborn defences.
‘We have missed chances in many games, I can see him with Sergio, especially games at home when defences are so deep. He has this instinct in the box. I would like to see Sergio with another guy to help take a lot of the pressure off.’
Jesus could even start at Boro, with Guardiola considering resting others after a gruelling FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal which went into extra-time on Sunday, followed by the Manchester derby.
‘The players were tired but showed how mentally strong they are against United,’ said Guardiola. ‘Now we have to look at how the players are feeling. We cannot risk [fatigue] or we are out of the Champions League.’
City will not win any silverware this season, the first time Guardiola has been trophyless in his managerial career. However, seven points from nine in the league make them odds-on to finish in the top four.
Captain Vincent Kompany, who has played in the last three games, having overcome injury problems of his own, said: ‘I remain convinced we are not far off being competitive on all fronts. The headlines after a 0-0 against United are about not getting the result. Fair enough. But watch the game closely and there is something brewing.
‘Rarely has there been a season where we have dominated so many of the big games and come out of it just with not enough. I believe we are not far off having the real deal here. It’s just that everything that can go against us at the moment is going against us. It is details.’
One talking point among fans has been the inconsistent form of Sterling, who has been replaced in the last two games, including at Wembley where he was a substitute. However, Guardiola gave assurances he is happy with the £49million England winger’s performances over the duration of the campaign.
‘Of course he has room to improve but he has been more than good,’ he said. ‘He has created a lot of chances, scored goals, won fair penalties.’