ZCZC
BSP-05
FBL-ENG-PR-MANCITY-GUARDIOLA
Guardiola keeps cool after Jesus complaint
MANCHESTER, United Kingdom, Sept 28, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Pep Guardiola insists
he has no problem with Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus being unhappy
about his lack of first-team starts.
In a recent interview with a Brazilian TV station, Jesus spoke of his
frustration at playing understudy to City’s record goal-scorer Sergio Aguero.
Jesus has started just one Premier League game this season, while Aguero
has scored in all six league games so far.
The Brazilian has three goals in his five appearances, with his other
starts coming in the Champions League and League Cup.
But despite scoring in the 3-0 League Cup win at Preston on Tuesday, City
will likely revert to Aguero for the Premier League match at Everton on
Saturday.
It is a problem every other manager would like and Guardiola admits he
understands Jesus’s point of view about his relative lack of game-time.
“No player will be happy when he doesn’t play regularly. Gabriel is happy
when he plays and not happy when he doesn’t, but it’s not just him,”
Guardiola told reporters on Friday.
“Him and Sergio have different qualities. Sergio is one of the most
outstanding players I’ve seen in small spaces.
“I try to let them both play as much as possible. They each have little
details that make the difference.
“Sergio could have scored five goals against Watford. Gabriel could have
scored three or four against Preston in the Carabao Cup.”
Jesus has scored 48 goals in 106 games for City, while Aguero has 239 from
his 344 appearances.
Yet Guardiola does not believe that as a pair as they do not suit his
favoured 4-3-3 formation.
“Normally I don’t play with two strikers. We did it in the last few minutes
at Norwich and it was not good. Our control was not the best and we were not
solid enough,” he said.
“It’s so difficult for me. In some games Gabriel gives me something Sergio
cannot. And the other way around.
“Both guys are incredible. Sergio is one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met.
He is so humble for such a top player.
“Of course they are upset if they don’t play. They want to play big
Champions League games, quarter-finals, semi-finals.
“But it’s impossible. How can they be happy? I have to choose 11 and all I
can say is that I’m sorry.
“The same happens in midfield, with (Ilkay) Gundogan, David Silva, Kevin
(De Bruyne), Phil (Foden). We have many games and everyone is necessary.”
BSS/AFP/GMR/0819 hrs