Gabriel Jesus: Can striker save Manchester City's season?

Teenager from Brazil could make debut against Spurs after being given clearance to play

Gabriel Jesus
Brazil's Gabriel Jesus, who is an idol in his homeland, is set to join Guardiola's first-team squad   
(Image credit: Vanderlei Almeida/AFP/Getty)

Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus has finally been unveiled by the club. The teenager, who is only 19, could make his Premier League debut against Spurs this weekend after being cleared to play by the Football Association

"The £27m forward, who signed from Palmeiras in early August, jetted into the North West at the beginning of the month ahead of his official unveiling," reports the Daily Mail. "Jesus has been training for the last three weeks with Pep Guardiola's squad, with the manager believing he is ready to be thrown into Premier League action."

The delay was caused by complications involving third-party ownership of the teenager, reports The Guardian. The player has reportedly used the time to acclimatise to the cold weather.

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Jesus says he is happy to have arrived in the Premier League and that his ambition is to win titles with City. But that goal looks as though it will have to wait until next season, with City stuttering of late and now sitting fifth in the table, ten points behind league leaders Chelsea.

However, Jesus offers Pep Guardiola another attacking option. City fans will be hoping the young Brazilian will be able to inspire a second coming for their team.

"The 19-year-old is able to play anywhere across the front three – with his pace and skilful, quick feet causing problems to defenders out wide, while his movement and ability to find space in the box make him a goal threat," says ESPN.

But although Jesus has been a huge hit in the Brazil team, scoring five goals in his first six appearances, the teenager may find it hard to leapfrog Sergio Aguero in Guardiola's plans.

Meanwhile the Manchester Evening News has been providing fans with the lowdown on the new striker, including the background to his name and number.

"The Brazil international was encouraged to take the name Gabriel Jesus by a Palmeiras press officer and chose to wear the number 33 since it is the age of Christ when he died," explains the paper, which also says that his name should be pronounced 'Gab-ree-ell Zhay-zoose'.

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