Gabriel Jesus has just signed for Manchester City for a fee believed to be in the region of £27m, beating the likes of Barcelona and PSG to his signature. But who is Gabriel Jesus?
Despite having agreed a fee and terms with Manchester City, the five year deal to bring him from Palmeiras won't start until January 2017, leaving him free to play for the Brazilian club on loan until he leaves.
#MCFC beat Barcelona to the signing of 'new Neymar' Gabriel Jesus https://t.co/fo87WugJps pic.twitter.com/LlBEJC0ITS
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) August 4, 2016
Jesus is a 19-year-old Brazilian who has spawned an awful lot of rumour and speculation over the past few weeks as well as being labelled as "The New Neymar". Bit harsh on Neymar who is presumably now known as "The Old Neymar", or just Neymar.
Former Brazil striker Ronaldo said, “I am betting on two great talents that are still developing but already show a lot of skill: Santos’ Gabigol and Palmeiras’ Gabriel Jesus. And they haven’t even turned 20 yet.”High praise indeed!
Besides having the most biblical name of all time, what has he done to deserve it? Well, Jesus was voted Best Newcomer of the 2015 Brazilian Seria A in the same year that his team won the Copa do Brasil. As an international, he was in the Brazilian team that were runners-up in the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
As well as that, Gabriel Jesus will be in the very impressive Brazilian Olympic team which opens their bid for a first Olympic gold tonight against South Africa. Jesus may struggle to shine in a team full of jewels like Old-Neymar, Rafinha, Marquinhos, Gabriel Barbosa and Thiago Maia but all eyes (or at least sky blue City ones and green with envy ones) will be on Manchester City's new man.
Who is Gabriel Jesus? Playing Style
Jesus can play in most attacking roles including as a striker and on both wings. The Neymar comparisons are justified not only because he has a trick up his sleeve to leave defenders slack-jawed, but he has blistering pace and an eye for goal. He scored 19 goals in 30 appearances for Palmerias last season.
It's important to remember that defending is about as important to the Brazilian league as the public drinking order is to canal goers on a sunny day in Dublin, but at 19 years of age it is still impressive. Pep Guardiola would probably look to play Jesus out wide which could be bad news for his Gabriel's namesake Jesus Navas and the always unimpressive Sterling.
Jesus is bold and explosive and has a knack for finding pockets of space, admittedly in an often vacuous Brazilian league defensive line. Jesus Gabriel is fairly good at those things too.
Here is a collection of some of his best highlights. Now before you think, "Oh but Matt Jarvis looks unreal on YouTube", remember how Neymar actually lived up to his YouTube potential. And remember how Jesus is consistently likened to Neymar? Watch, enjoy, get excited.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWBYIiHWe5E
Who is Gabriel Jesus? A very exiting prospect who could be lighting up the Premier League for years to come.
