TOURE WARNS AGAINST WEIGHING DOWN JESUS
Toure warns City not to weigh down Jesus with high expectations
LONDON: Midfielder Yaya Toure has urged Manchester City not to put too much weight of expectation on young Gabriel Jesus’ shoulders, despite the Brazil forward’s stunning start to his career at the Etihad.
The 19-year-old Jesus, who has been selected ahead of City’s top scorer Sergio Aguero by manager Pep Guardiola in recent weeks, has scored three goals and provided two assists in four games since arriving from Brazilian side Palmeiras last month.
“He is a very good player; very quick, sharp and clever. We realise we have to be careful, though, and we shouldn’t get too excited because he has to be focused,” Toure told British media.
“What we want to do is just continue to keep going and, at the end of the season, we can talk about him. We need to have young players because City are always a team who wants to win the league.”
Midfielder Fernandinho has praised Jesus’ mental strength, saying the youngster has remained level-headed despite the furore over his explosive form.
“I hope he can keep that level at least until the end of the season. As a young player you can sometimes drop your level,” Fernandinho said.
“He can play amazing, but he is good because his mentality is good, on the same level all the time – he is stable. We can help him stay at this level until the end of the season, and if he does, everyone will be happy.”
As for Jesus, he said he had been “surprised” by his extraordinary start to life in the Premier League.
While some overseas players take time to adjust to the physicality and pace of the Premier League, Jesus has settled in immediately.
“Yes, I am very surprised,” Jesus told mancity. com when asked how things had gone since he joined the club.
“Although I work a lot every single day, with everyone’s support, in order for that to happen.
“I am very happy. Each day I feel that I am adjusting really well, with the support of everyone in the club.
“The players, they help me every day and that makes me happy, even more because I am able to make a good start in a City shirt.”
City, who are third in the Premier League, 10 points behind leaders Chelsea after 24 games, travel to face 14th-placed Bournemouth on Monday. — Reuters