Date: 8th July 2019 at 5:51pm
Written by:

Gabriel Jesus has had a brilliant Copa America for Brazil, and he played a crucial role in both the final and semi-final – scoring two and setting up another two.

His tournament was somewhat dampened by a red card in the 3-1 win over Peru, that secured Brazil’s first silverware in 12 years, but before that he had set up Everton’s opener and then scored himself – converting a Roberto Firmino cross on the brink of half-time.

If his performances in this tournament are anything to go by, then, the 22-year-old is sure to play a much more important role for Manchester City next season.

Last season Jesus made 47 appearances, but only 18 starts in all competitions as Pep Guardiola favoured Sergio Aguero for most games.

Despite this limited number of starts, the Brazilian still managed to score 21 goals and set up a further six – which shows just how talented this player is.

Aguero will be 32 next year, and City need to start thinking about who will replace him in the long term, but they shouldn’t have to spend any money as Jesus is the ideal replacement and at 22, he can only get better – which is frightening.

Jesus has all of the attributes to, eventually, replace Aguero he holds the ball up well, can finish and is surprisingly good in the air for someone who is only 5’9’’ tall.

His international record for Brazil is also fantastic as he has scored 16 goals in just 29 games and looks set to be Brazil’s leading striker for many years to come.

This should mean that next season Guardiola gives him more than 18 starts and allows him to stake a claim to be Manchester City’s top striker for many years to come.

Guardiola has already made two signings this window that suggests he is preparing to build a City team that can dominate football for the next decade – by signing Rodri and Angelino, both in their early 20’s, Guardiola is signing Fernandinho’s replacement and possibly Benjamin Mendy’s as the Spaniard may finally have had enough of Mendy’s constant injuries and off-the-field antics.

Aguero’s replacement, though, is already at City and if he is given more game time next year, then we may see a player who is ready to light up the Premier League for many years.

 

Comments are closed.