The Year Of Jesus

Every year there are players who break out and become global superstars. Last year the rise of players like Kylian Mbappe and Osumane Dembele are just two examples, and this year Gabriel Jesus will become a global superstar and a key player in Manchester City’s squad.

Gabriel Jesus came over from Palmeiras for an initial fee of $35,080,425 last January. When he came immediately showed his class within his first couple appearances and then got injured.When he came immediately showed his class within his first couple appearances and then got injured only to come back later in the year ending the season with 10 appearances 7 goals and 4 assists. Gabriel Jesus is only 20 years old but he has the quality to become one of the best players in the world and he will be learning from the best coach in the world, in Pep Guardiola, who is excellent with bringing young players through and helping them reach their potential.

Gabriel Jesus has an elite level of talent that even one of the best players in the world, Neymar, when asked about who the most skilled players he played with are stated “Lionel Messi. But after that it’s Gabriel Jesus, he’s incredibly skilful.” When one of the best players in the world makes a statement like that it stands out and shows the quality Jesus poses. Jesus put this ability on display during his 10 appearances last year and with more playing time I expect his ability to shine and he will do things we’ve never seen before.

Jesus also has the mentality to become one of the best players in the world. When he was inserted into the lineup he would chase the ball, press high up the pitch, and track back to make tackles. He has a great work rate and it helps out a lot when the other team counter attacks. He will come back and make a tackle, he also will press the ball to stop counter attacks. Jesus plays with emotion and he will sometimes demand the ball from his teammates and doesn’t mind showing people what he thinks when on the pitch. I like this attitude in a young player because it shows he isn’t scared and is willing to chew out his teammates if they screw up. Holding each other accountable is critical to a good team and Jesus does this.

What makes me so confident in Jesus becoming the next superstar is not only the quality he poses and the mentality he has but it’s the versatility he has. Jesus has lined up as the number 9 and has played on both wings in his brief professional career. Because of this Jesus will see plenty of game time and can play with anyone up front. If Sterling or Sane is injured Jesus will slide into the wings seamlessly. He played as a right winger at the end of last year and played on the left wing when he got his first appearance as a substitute. If Aguero gets injured Jesus will play his natural position as the striker. When Jesus started as the striker he showed he can play as the main man up front and showed an elite level of finishing from up front.

Next year is a critical year for Guardiola and he will rely on his young attackers a lot. Jesus will be the main man up front and cement himself as one of the top players in the world. While he is young he is physically mature, mentally strong, and skilful enough to be a game breaker. His versatility will allow Pep to use him in different roles to keep the opponents guessing about where he will be and Pep will use Jesus as the key player to expose the weaknesses in opponents. Jesus was highly rated for a reason, he has all the ability to achieve greatness and this year will be the first step in that.