Fit again after a brief injury lay-off, the Brazilian striker was on target in City’s excellent 3-0 win at Shakhtar Donetsk in our opening Champions’ League group clash.
That maintained an impressive overall start to the campaign by the 22-year-old which followed a successful summer where he helped inspire Brazil to Copa America glory on home soil.
And Goater is in no doubt that, in tandem with Club record scorer Sergio Aguero, a fired-up Jesus can play a crucial role for Pep Guardiola’s squad over the next nine months.
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“I think that Gabriel will have a huge part to play this season,” said the City strike legend.
“He won the Copa America with Brazil, scoring some vital goals and since the start of the season he has looked really sharp and at it.
“Gabriel has scored some vital goals for Brazil and for City and I think there’s a belief not only in himself but with the supporters and also with Pep.
“I think there was a period last season where he maybe lost a bit of belief for a number of games, but that belief has come back in him.
“I really think we could see him playing a huge part and I think he will really be pushing Sergio this season when it comes to goals.
“That will be what Pep is looking for – for the guys to be pushing each other and I think we’ll get that this season.
“Gab handled all that pressure in Brazil. If we put a neutral hat on, what’s more pressure than playing for England? You’d probably say Brazil.
“So, his confidence is right up there. He has started great and I think he’ll just carry on from there.”
Looking further ahead to the rest of the campaign, Goater also believes Jesus and Aguero will once again help drive on each other’s standards both in training and during games.
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Standard bearers for Brazil and Argentina’s strike forces respectively, Goater believes the desire and passion each brings to the pitch can prove a potent brew for City.
“Gabriel wants to prove a point, and as a striker knowing what the challenges are and competing against Sergio, he knows the standards and I’m sure he will be able to deliver,” Goater added.
“There will be a lot of games this season so it’s important for the guys that when they play, they know they have to score as those are the standards they have set themselves and what’s required for the team.
“I think we have got two absolute quality strikers. We have a Brazilian striker that leads for Brazil and an Argentine striker that is Argentina’s spearhead.
“We are blessed to have these quality players and to have the best manager in charge of them.
“These two players play for two of the biggest countries in the world and handle that pressure.
“They will see each other in training and know each other’s qualities and the reality is they are both going to push each other and that’s great for them and the team.
“That just drives up the standards and with the two of them I think we are in for a heck of a season.”
