PEP GUARDIOLA has no fears about putting Jesus at the centre of his Christmas plans.
Manchester City are likely to be without their all-time leading scorer Sergio Aguero for the next few games after he injured his groin on Saturday.
Guardiola has reiterated his trust in Gabriel JesusCredit: AP:Associated Press
But it does mean that Gabriel Jesus will finally get the chance he craves.
The champions were carrying out tests on Argentine superstar Aguero yesterday in the aftermath of their 2-1 win against Chelsea.
But Guardiola admitted after the game the injury looked bad.
And that spells worrying news for City, who now face 12 games in four different competitions over the next 40 days through to early January.
Aguero has been almost undroppable for City and boasts 244 goals for the club — including 13 in 16 games this season.
But boss Guardiola is confident Brazilian Jesus, 22, will seize his chance, judging from what he has seen early in this campaign.
Jesus has five goals and spoke recently about having to remain patient on the bench with Aguero in such great form.
Guardiola said: “Gabriel has made one of the best starts of this season.
Fernandinho may never play in midfield again, according to his managerCredit: Getty – Contributor
“If Sergio cannot play in the next games, Gabriel is our option.
“Of course Raheem Sterling can play in that position but Gabriel is going to play there, sure.”
Meanwhile, Guardiola has told Fernandinho his days as a midfielder are over — because he has been such a success as a makeshift centre-back. The Brazilian, 34, has been drafted into the defence because of a long-term injury to Aymeric Laporte and the departure of Vincent Kompany.
Yet Fernandinho is starting to look like he has been playing there all his life.
And he was even named man of the match against Chelsea on Saturday.
Fernandinho has been one of the Premier League’s great defensive midfielders since he arrived at the Etihad in summer 2013.
But asked if he could see the Brazilian going back to his original place in the team, Guardiola admitted: “If Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan are fit, I don’t think so now.
“I like Fernandinho in that position at the back, with the problems that we have. I like it.
“He was incredible at Anfield, he was incredible against Chelsea. He can play there. He is so fast and our build-up is perfect.
“I felt he was the best central defender at Anfield when we played Liverpool. It shows that sometimes you have to look for other solutions.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
