Pep talk for Jesus

MANCHESTER CITY striker Gabriel Jesus returns to the scene of his greatest triumph hoping it will bring a change of fortune in his ongoing struggle to fill the boots of Sergio Aguero.

Jesus is the one City player to have endured a difficult Project Restart and goes to Southampton today without a goal in eight matches as City’s record scorer recovers from knee surgery.

Outspoken TV pundit Roy Keane said after the Brazilian was taken off against Liverpool on Thursday: ‘I don’t think he’s the answer. He’s a talented boy but replacing Aguero, not for me.’

City manager Pep Guardiola is backing the 23-year-old to start firing again with Aguero’s injury leaving him as the only senior centre forward at the club as they chase the Champions League and FA Cup. And at least St Mary’s should bring happy memories for Jesus, whose late winner there in 2018 took City to a hundred points and has been immortalised in a mural outside the Etihad.

‘No one can compare with Sergio and what he has done in his career,’ says Guardiola.

‘Gabriel is perfect for me and the team because he is complementary to Sergio. What one guy has, the other struggles — and vice-versa.

‘Gabriel has something unique in the world. He is a fighter and helps us to be more aggressive.’