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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is going to be asking Jesus for a favour tonight.
A favour about, um, Jesus.
The Spanish tactician watched Monday as emerging talisman Gabriel Jesus limped off early against Bournemouth due to an apparent problem with his right foot, and admitted after the contest that he's hoping for some divine intervention to get the Brazilian back in action quickly.
“Tomorrow morning we will know exactly,” Guardiola said after the Citizens’ 2-0 win. “Hopefully – I will pray tonight – it will not be a big issue.”
Jesus, who has rocketed to saviour status by scoring three goals in his first two starts after making the long-awaited switch from Palmeiras in January, left Monday’s match in the 15th minute after coming down awkwardly on the foot of defender Simon Francis.
The electrifying teenager hobbled off the pitch and was replaced by Sergio Aguero, who himself has been relegated to a bench role thanks to Jesus' arrival.
There have been rumblings that the prolific Argentine could leave the club at season’s end due to an apparent inability to convince Guardiola that he can adapt to the tactician’s preferred style of play.
While the bench boss admitted last week that Aguero’s future is unclear, he was full of praise for the 28-year-old after Monday’s performance.
“He played good. He fought and scored a goal for his confidence,” Guardiola noted.
Aguero’s goal was later credited as an own goal by Tyrone Mings, but nonetheless, Guardiola maintained that the City icon remains a crucial member of the squad.
Related – Watch: Sterling eviscerates defender with stepover, helps clinch City win
“I’m so happy for him. He was important before the game and is still important.”
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