Gabriel Jesus has been a star-turned for Manchester City this season, operating from a new position on the right wing.
City signed the Brazilian international from Palmeiras as a long-term replacement for Sergio Aguero, widely heralded as the Blues' greatest ever striker. Jesus has been impressive in spells under Pep Guardiola but has never had a sustained run as the number one option at the focal point of the Catalan manager's attack.
With City targeting Harry Kane in the summer, Jesus was reported to have been among the names Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano were willing to cut to raise funds for the England captain.
However, following an uninspiring open day defeat to Tottenham Hotspur where City's attack failed to click, Jesus came in for Riyad Mahrez in the destructive 5-0 victory over Norwich City, operating on the right side of the front three.
Since then, the 24-year-old's outstanding performances have rendered him virtually undroppable in the Premier League. He has notched two goals and three assists in the league so far this season, demonstrating the creative quality of the Brazilian who was unfairly dubbed's a 'poacher' by some City fans.
And Jesus has now reflected on a conversation he had with Guardiola last season where he reminded his boss of his experience playing on the wing.
"If you take my beginning as professional at Palmeiras, I played left-wing. At the academy too, national team, the Olympics. I played as a forward and moved to the front," the Brazilian told ESPN.
"Then I was second striker [at Palmeiras]. Then I became a centre-forward. In the national team as well, things happened. That’s how I came here [City]. In my mind, I was always more of a winger than a forward."
"I think that with my qualities, I help more from the wing than from the centre. I’ve been playing like this for the national team since the Copa America."
He reflected on his return from Copa America action, where he found himself training as a right winger in training, something he enjoyed.
"It was something that came up. I came back from vacation, then I started training like this," Jesus added.
"Last year, I had a conversation with the manager, and it came up about playing there, and it happened.
"But I have the range of playing open or centralised. Actually, he didn’t say anything. Put it to training, and it happened. I feel very comfortable. I think I help the team more. It did good for me and it will do even more.”
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