MY ACCOUNT
Gabriel Jesus notched an impressive four goals in Manchester City’s 5-1 win over Watford on Saturday, yet his future at the club remains unclear.
The Citizens are reportedly close to agreeing a deal for Borussia Dortmund goal machine Erling Haaland, meaning the Brazilian will find minutes in Pep Guardiola’s star-studded side even harder to come by next season.
It has led to reports that the 25-year-old will leave the Etihad to get more playing time, with fellow Premier League side Arsenal among those considering a move.
Ahead of the Citizens’ Champions League semi-final first-leg clash with Real Madrid, we take a closer look at what is next for the striker.
On the fringes
While making some telling contributions of late, Jesus will be frustrated with his game time overall this term.
Following a run of starts in the first part of the season, the forward has made Pep Guardiola’s XI in just three of City’s 13 Premier League games in 2022.
Given he is the only recognised out-and-out striker at the club, that suggests Guardiola does not trust him to be the reliable No9 they need.
The Spaniard’s use of Jesus out of position on either wing is further testament to that school of thought.
Efficient
That said, Jesus has largely made the most of his opportunities when given them.
The Sao Paulo native’s tally of 11 strikes and 11 assists in all competitions this campaign is impressive, managing a goal involvement every 94 minutes.
Surprisingly handed his first start since mid-December in their crucial title showdown against Liverpool earlier this month, Jesus showed his importance once again by grabbing City’s second in a pulsating 2-2 draw.
And after notching four in his side’s dismantling of struggling Watford on Saturday, there is no doubt the 54-cap international has a justified argument to feature more frequently.
Asked on the topic of his playing time after the game, Jesus said: “It’s not just me, it’s [all] the players. If you ask, everyone’s going to say ‘I want to play’ and the season that I arrived here I played a lot, I think.
“I know what I expect of course but I know we have very good players who can play every game as well and sometimes it’s not just me, it’s Riyad [Mahrez], sometimes Raz [Sterling], and [Jack] Grealish arrives this season and sees how it is here.
“We have a lot of good strikers, wingers and forwards.”
Stiff competition
It seems it will only get more difficult to make it onto the field at the Etihad next season.
The Citizens look set to win the race to sign highly-coveted marksman Haaland this summer, with the 21-year-old reportedly agreeing to join the English champions.
Netting an astonishing 82 goals in 86 games for BVB and with reported wage demands of £500,000 per week, the Norwegian striker is virtually guaranteed a starting spot when fit.
That has prompted rumours Jesus is seeking a fresh start elsewhere, and he has proven this season he has the goalscoring knack to be a good addition for any potential suitor.
While Guardiola has admitted he would like to keep the former Palmeiras man around, he understands that the lure of regular first-team minutes may be too good to turn down.
The 51-year-old said: “What we are doing this season, we are doing with Gabriel, he is one of the best.
“But every player is happy here when they are playing all the time, 90 minutes every game.
“At the end of the season maybe I say I want to extend his contract and we convince him to stay, but maybe he says he wants more minutes and he wants to leave.”
Arsenal interest
Arsenal are strongly rumoured to be the club Jesus will head to next.
Gunners duo Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are both set to leave when their contracts expire this summer and it is a position boss Mikel Arteta will want to strengthen desperately.
Should a move go ahead, it would see Jesus link back up with the Spanish boss having worked together while Arteta was still part of Guardiola’s coaching set-up at City.
It looks to be a move that would suit player and club, with Arsenal able to offer first-team minutes and potentially Champions League football next season.
And the striker has had some positive words to say about Arteta in the past.
He said in 2019: “He’s helped a lot of players. When I want to do finishing after training, I tell him and he comes and helps me.
“So he is really fantastic for us. All the players know that — everyone knows that in the club.
“He is a fantastic guy and fantastic manager. I don’t honestly know what he thinks about his career, that is for him. I hope he can find his way and I hope he can be happy.”
Jesus will likely get more chances before the end of the season to help City in their pursuit of success in the Premier League and Champions League.
After that, though, it may be time to make himself a star elsewhere.
