Pep Guardiola heaped praise on Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus for how “generous” and versatile he is after their victory over Norwich City.
Jesus starred for Man City on Saturday as they cruised past newly-promoted Norwich at the Etihad.
The forward’s shot led to Tim Krul’s own goal that opened the scoring. He later provided assists for Jack Grealish and Raheem Sterling as City ran out convincing 5-0 winners.
Kane to ‘force’ Manchester City to raise bid after Pacos loss
During his post-match press conference (as cited by Manchester Evening News), Guardiola heaped praise on Jesus:
“He is a player who likes to play wider than central positions. One of the reasons why I am a manager in the best moments of my career is because you can work with people like Gabriel,” Guardiola said.
“He never complains. If he plays five minutes, he plays the best five minutes he can do. Play right he is happy, play central he is happy play left he is happy.
“The combination with Kyle was exceptional. An incredibly important performance for us. I am so happy for Gabriel.
“In life, he deserves the best because he is so generous. We have an exceptional squad and I never complain about that. We have the same team last season and we lost the absolute legend Sergio and in came Jack and I am more than pleased with the squad we have.
“If I should answer all the rumours in the media, we need five press conferences. He is so much important for me, it is the way he gives you to live in his best condition. As much player as you have in these positions, the better team you are. He deserves to continue playing.”
Guardiola also took time to praise City duo Ferran Torres and Raheem Sterling:
“I spoke to Gabriel and he likes to play in the wider positions. Gabriel can more to associate and drop and Ferran make movements more to the goal and with our lack of goals, we need a player there.
“Ferran made incredible moments against Spurs. I am more than pleased. But both players can play in all three positions in the attack. That is so good for the team.
“Some players when they get the ball in more wide positions, their body shape is more open and they have more time to make the right decision. When you play central it is more difficult to get good balls playing so so central.
“Gabriel is better getting balls wider. We have to use Gabriel when Sergio was injured. We were lucky Ferran played there and scored three goals against Newcastle and always when he played there he had an incredible sense of finishing. All these three plus Raheem, also it is a good position for him, as a striker he is really good.”