Gabriel Jesus ‘has to play close to goal’ says Guardiola

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says that he is not tempted to deploy Brazilian starlet Gabriel Jesús as a winger, but has hinted that he sees him as a partner for Sergio Aguero in the front two, in the long term. Jesús often played as an attacking left winger for Palmeiras, before Cuca moved him […]
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sambafoot_admin
2017-01-07 00:33:00

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says that he is not tempted to deploy Brazilian starlet Gabriel Jesús as a winger, but has hinted that he sees him as a partner for Sergio Aguero in the front two, in the long term.

Jesús often played as an attacking left winger for Palmeiras, before Cuca moved him into a centre forward role at the beginning of last year. Guardiola says this is where he envisages making use of Jesús’ ability to run in behind defences.

""He has played as a winger, to make movements, outside and inside, but of course he has to play close to the goal," Guardiola said. "He"s not a typical winger down the line, like Raz [Raheem Sterling] for example or Jesus Navas, who makes the actions for the crosses.

“He makes a good movement, runs in behind, and you have to use him close to Sergio, close to our strikers." Jesús has now joined up with his new teammates in Manchester for training, but Guardiola has suggested it will be a few weeks before he is likely to make his debut.