Steve Nicol has claimed that Arsenal and Chelsea transfer target, Gabriel Jesus, ‘hasn’t fulfilled his potential’ at Manchester City, as he told ESPN.
The Anfield legend thinks that Jesus is ‘not better’ than £100 million man Jack Grealish, who has struggled since moving to the Premier League champions.
With Pep Guardiola bringing in more firepower to the Etihad this summer in Julian Alvarez and Erling Braut Haaland, it has left Jesus questioning how many minutes he will get next season.
As a result, the £50 million forward is being tipped to leave, with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham all keen to take him on board.
Given those transfer rumours, Nicol isn’t impressed by what the Brazil international has been producing over the years in Manchester.
“From the outside, it seems as though Jesus has never quite looked to be part of the starting XI,” said Nicol.
“It always seemed to be although that he was the right player to play through the middle for Man City. I know it’s hard to follow Aguero.
“I don’t think he has fulfilled the potential we thought he had. I think that has shone through during his time there.
“Yes, he had a great spell towards the end of last season, but before that, when were we ever talking about him? ‘This guy should be playing number nine or through the middle?’.
“He’s not better, or even on par, with your Grealish’s and Mahrez’s. He’s not the best number nine and he’s not the best wide guy. He has been on the outside looking in. It’s worse losing Sterling than Jesus.”
WHO NEEDS JESUS MORE?
Even though Chelsea are going to sell Romelu Lukaku, the answer is still Arsenal.
Thomas Tuchel can still play Kai Havertz in that number nine role, although they will still certainly go for another striker this summer.
But Mikel Arteta only has Eddie Nketiah to pick from, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaving in January and Alexandre Lacazette heading back to Lyon.
Whilst Spurs have a certain Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son firing their goals in, so for them, it’s just a case of adding depth rather than bringing someone in to replace those players.
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