Gabriel Jesus Talks Pep Guardiola, Manchester City and More Ahead of Transfer

Palmeiras forward Gabriel Jesus has spoken of his excitement at the challenge awaiting him when he moves to Manchester City later in the season. 

The 19-year-old will join up with Pep Guardiola’s squad in January after a deal was struck between the two clubs in the summer. And while there are plenty of attacking riches for the manager to call upon at the Etihad Stadium, the Brazilian teenager thinks he has a fine chance of forcing his way into contention.

“All this change does not scare me at all,” he said, per Alfredo Spalla of the Guardian. “My life has always been full of challenges. Obviously this is a bigger one, but the best battles are given to the best warriors. I will listen to the manager’s opinion and his advice in order to improve and adapt as fast as I possibly can.”

Jesus has been tipped to have a very bright future, having impressed on both the domestic and international front. Here is a glimpse of what he is capable of:

Already he’s represented the Brazil senior side on two occasions, bagging a couple of goals in the process, and there’s an excitement about what he can achieve working alongside someone like Guardiola day-to-day.

The Palmeiras youngster revealed his decision to move to the Etihad Stadium was far from straightforward, but Guardiola was ultimately key to him joining City:

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It was a complicated decision, but in the end my desire to learn won. The presence of Guardiola as a manager at City and the fact that it is a great club were very important factors in my final decision. 

Guardiola’s phone call was a huge part of me deciding to go there. It made me realise that I’d love to work with him. I don’t know him personally yet but he already made me feel very safe about his project there.

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Indeed, for an attacking player, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss is arguably the perfect mentor. Guardiola has helped to bring the best out of stars such as Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller in the past, while the likes of Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero are blossoming under him now.

The 19-year-old will be hoping he can follow a similar path, as it's difficult to put a ceiling on the potential he possesses. Bleacher Report’s Rob Blanchette thinks City have done tremendously to bring him to the club:

With the likes of Sterling, Jesus, Leroy Sane and John Stones on their books, City are cultivating a core that could last for many years. As a result, ambitions have been lifted among the fanbase as to what this group of players can achieve.

What will be key is these youngsters keeping themselves grounded. However, Jesus doesn’t seem like a character that will get ahead of himself, with his mother an honest assessor of his displays.

“Yes, it’s true that my mother has a go at me when I don’t track back,” he conceded. “We are very, very close and she demands a lot from me, which is great. She only praises me if I have done something worthy of praise.”

As for where he wants to play in the City team, Jesus thinks he can have an impact across the front line, although his defensive responsibilities are clearly never too far from his thinking.

“I actually prefer playing as a left-winger rather than a striker, but I just want to be very clear that I’m willing to play in either position,” he said. “I am often prepared to give up a position high on the pitch and help out defensively because some good marking and tackling can result in a goal for my team in the end.”

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Jesus comes across as an articulate and insightful youngster in the interview, while Spalla described the 19-year-old as “very mature,” “polite” and “humble.” In terms of talent, tactical acumen and attitude, it looks as though City may have landed the full package when it comes to the Brazil international.

When he does move to England there will be a range of new things for Jesus to adapt to, most notably the increased attention and robust football. It may take a little time before the City supporters see the best of him, although it’d be a big surprise if the forward didn’t eventually deliver on his exciting potential.