Gabriel Jesus insists he is a better player now than when he burst onto the Manchester City scene nearly two years ago.
The Brazil striker is back in the Blues squad after two impressive performances for his national team, as they head to south London to face Crystal Palace.
Selhurst Park holds happy memories for Jesus, as he made his first City start there in an FA Cup tie in January 2017, helping them to a 3-0 win.
That sparked a dazzling spell of seven goals in nine games which briefly threatened to oust Sergio Aguero from the first choice team.
But Aguero has responded by adapting his game to Pep Guardiola’s style of play and is once again top dog.
Jesus says he has worked hard to try to get back in the team, and outlined the areas in which he has improved.
“On the pitch, I'm more mature, more experienced, with and without the ball,” he said.
“I'm more calm, I understand the game more and I also understand our style of play better.”
Jesus has also worked hard at becoming more two-footed, and that has paid off with a couple of goals with his left foot this season, as part of his four-goal haul so far.
“My skills have improved since I arrived, I'm better with my left foot, with headers, with my position on the pitch,” he said.
“Off the pitch, I have always been very mature, very responsible. I have grown up as a person and I want to keep getting better and better.
“I have always been very attached to my family, but now I'm even more attached. So, I think I have improved in both areas, on and off the pitch.”
City have fallen eight points behind leaders Liverpool as they head to Palace, and need a win to apply some pressure to Jurgen Klopp’s team, who face Manchester United on Sunday.
But Jesus refutes the idea that the Blues have slackened off a little after an astonishing two-season haul of 198 points.
“I don't think it's a matter of the team relaxing,” he said. “We have a few players injured, very important players for us.
“Obviously, their absence is going to take its toll on the team. It happened - we lost two games. We are aware that it's part of football and defeats are going to happen. But we must pick ourselves up and carry on working.
“Playing against Crystal Palace is always difficult, no matter if we won in our last game there at Selhurst Park or not. It was a very difficult game, as usual.
“Last season, we lost our game against them at home and we won away. You can see how curious football is.”
