Just when Pep Guardiola thought that his roster injury problems were easing off a bit, especially with Leroy Sane and Aymeric Laporte beginning their rehabilitation/returning to the side, Manchester City has been struck by the injury but again.
Now Sergio Aguero is set to miss the Manchester Derby on December 7, and all the competition in between now and then. Aguero hobbled his way out of City’s win over Chelsea this past weekend due to a thigh injury. Guardiola confirmed to the press that the striker will not be available for the game against Manchester United at the Etihad stadium on December 7, leaving them with Gabriel Jesus as the only fit striker on the squad for this major clash.
Everyone is keenly looking forward to this game with punters betting heavily on Manchester City. Looking at odds provided by the best of the bookmakers, including the popular Vegas online odds, Manchester City go into this game as favorites, at odds in the vicinity of 1.37. United on the other hand are being offered at around 9.00. The possibility of a draw is going at 5.75.
This is expected to be a golden opportunity for Jesus as Aguero is certainly out for several weeks. The Brazilian has thus far scored five goals in the eight appearances that he has made for City in Premier League play. It’s not without reason that Guardiola has often referred to him as a player who is amongst the best secondary strikers in the football world today.
He told the press: “I’m not happy that Gabriel doesn’t (normally) play, that’s not news. I understand that. But what’s important is the day after how he trains. He never missed or failed one training session in bad condition or bad behavior. That’s why when he says he wants to learn, he wants to work, it’s the truth, that’s the reality. He’s an incredible guy and I think they respect each other. It’s not easy. We will miss Sergio but in Gabriel we have a star in that position. When he arrived, his energy, his impact immediately seduced us.”
Guardiola has important advice for Jesus in that he doesn’t necessarily need to extend his contract with the club if he is even slightly unsure about his position, as there are several major clubs that will readily lap up the talented forward.
The Spaniard has often used Raheem Sterling as the team’s central striker, but he’s all set to give Gabriel Jesus a regular run now. This new opening also serves as a good opportunity for the young attackers at City to make an impression on the side.
Both Adrian Bernabe and Ian Carlo Poveda have made their first-team debuts with the club. The talented 17 year old Dutch player Jayden Braff has already earned excellent reviews from the Manchester City Academy staff recently.
Jesus has always expressed his willingness to play a secondary role at City, and he’s also admitted time and again that he is really behind one of the finest strikers in Europe right now. He accepts the fact that his situation is rather complex because he’s at a big club comprised of big players, as well as a big manager.