Our Brazilian striker marked his first start of the new season by producing a man-of-the-match display in Saturday’s superb 5-0 Premier League win over Norwich City.
With a full house present at the Etihad for the first time in 18 months, Jesus – who was deployed in a position wide on the right rather than through the middle - proved a revelation.
He may not have found the target personally, but the 24-year-old served up three pinpoint assists to round off what was a superb all-round display.
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And he said goals weren’t the only currency when it came to making a telling team input.
“When you play with the number nine on your back, you normally have the pressure to score goals,” Jesus reflected.
“I try to score every time I step onto the pitch, but sometimes I can score with other things, with assists, with runs and creating chances to help my team.
“I step out onto the pitch to help my team and I am so happy because everyone in the team played so good and we were able to win the first game back at the Etihad.
“I started to play football on the street, so I play everywhere in the attack. I think now I can focus more on my game to help my team.”
Jesus was one of the last City players to return to pre-season training after a summer spent on Copa America duty with his native Brazil.
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But as Saturday’s display demonstrated, Jesus is getting sharper and sharper every day.
And he stressed he was ready to play his part in City’s push for silverware wherever he is deployed on the pitch.
“I am getting my fitness back because I think I was the last one to come back from holidays,” Gabriel added.
“After, I needed to train hard always, but I don’t lose too much power. I am a little bit lucky because I don’t lose too much so I can come back, train twice and get back. Now I am fit. I feel good.
“I am getting my confidence and my energy back. I like to play all of the time, wherever the manager tries to play me, I will try to do my best always.
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“For my national team now, I play more on the right side so I think I can play there.
“We have a lot of good strikers, wingers as well, Riyad and Raheem came on and scored, so we have a very good team.
“Everyone who plays tries to do their best to win the games.”
