Gabriel Jesus: Pressing, Receiving the Ball, and Winning it Back are in My DNA, I'm Good at Creating Chaos

Gabriel Jesus, forward for FC Barcelona, gave an interview to 3Cat's Tot costa program where he discussed his adaptation to FC Barcelona, competing for a spot in the team, and his playing style. He also spoke about Raphinha, Pep Guardiola, Hansi Flick, and the team's Champions League goals, among other topics. This article is the second part of the exclusive interview.

But there's an issue here. You just said: "I scored after being on the pitch for 10 minutes." I checked, and you played a total of 20 minutes across two appearances—10 minutes plus 10 minutes. You hit the post once and scored once, but you didn't play in the next match. That must be difficult to deal with.

Of course it's not easy, especially when I've been working hard and want to play. I feel like I can contribute more when I'm on the pitch compared to when I'm not. However, with my experience now, I understand that these things happen. One game is different from another, and it depends on the specific circumstances of each match.

For example, in the most recent game, the team was leading 3-0, so in that situation, I might have had the chance to play more than 20 minutes. In another game it might be 20 minutes, 30 minutes, or I could be a starter. These things happen throughout the season, and it's very normal.

We've only played five or six games this season, right? I've played in three games since I arrived, and three games before that, making just six total. There are still over 50 games left, so I know there will be time when I get opportunities. But I have to say again that what's most important is that everyone stays in good shape. Having 25 players in good form is better than having just 11.

Let me go back to when FC Barcelona contacted you. Throughout your career, you've played in almost every attacking position. In some seasons, you even played more as a winger than as a number 9 striker. When FC Barcelona contacted you, did they explicitly tell you: "We want you to play as a number 9"? In fact, they gave you the number 9 shirt. I'm asking because in principle, the team already has plenty of wingers. So was FC Barcelona's initial idea in signing you mainly to have you play as number 9?

Yes, as a number 9 more than as a winger. But you're right, I've played many positions throughout my career. I'd say about 65 to 70 percent of games I've played as a striker, and another 30 to 35 percent I've played as a right winger, left winger, sometimes as an attacking midfielder number 10, and I've even played as a defensive midfielder number 8. I think this versatility is a very important quality that can help both me and the team a lot.

However, they didn't explicitly tell me I would play as a number 9 or as a winger more. Of course, whatever position the coach wants me to play, I'll try to do my best.

You've said that your knee is fine now and has recovered properly. However, you played less last season because you lacked continuous playing time. When will we see Gabriel Jesus at his best?

That's the situation. I was out for almost a year due to a knee injury and returned in December. After December, I played several games for Arsenal. After that, of course, my playing time decreased again. I played in the final Premier League game, and that was it. I participated in preseason and played some games for Arsenal.

Of course it's not easy. Every player needs to play and needs minutes to show their abilities and also needs to find their rhythm through competition, which is very normal.

I'm also well aware that since I arrived at FC Barcelona, Raphinha has been playing as number 9 and scoring regularly. Naturally, he deserves to play many games, and he deserves these opportunities. So all I can do is work hard to compete and wait for my chance. When I get more playing time, that's when I can truly find my rhythm.

Of course, I'm training well now and everything is going smoothly. But as I said, in my professional career, I'm no longer a young player. I've experienced many things in football. I know the season is long and there are many more games ahead. Now it's time to focus on the next game, hoping to get some minutes, and try to do my best.

Have you set a goal for yourself in terms of goals scored? Like, how many goals are you hoping to score this season?

Given my current situation, it's difficult to speak about specific numbers. I'm very honest with myself, and for that reason, sometimes I can't always give interviews because I'm too direct (laughs). I'll speak what I truly think and say what I believe will happen. That's my personality. So given my current situation, it's hard to give specific numbers. But of course, I hope to score many goals and help the team.

And I don't just want to score when the team is leading 3-0 or 4-0. I hope to score important goals that help FC Barcelona progress in the league and help the team advance in the Champions League. I really want to score as many goals as possible, not just goals themselves. I also want to create chances for my teammates because that's also a very important quality of mine.

So it's hard to give specific numbers. Given my current situation, it's really difficult to provide a number. But of course, I hope to score a lot.

Be careful though, because you just mentioned Ronaldo. When Ronaldinho came here, he said directly: "I will score 30 goals."

(Laughs) No, they're from another planet.

Since we're talking about it anyway—Ronaldinho or Ronaldo?

Both. Choose both, choose both (laughs). They could play together perfectly, so choose both.

We just discussed your playing style. Pep Guardiola once said you're the best pressing forward he's ever seen. Does that mean you're well-suited to Hansi Flick's philosophy? Because in Hansi Flick's system, forwards participating in pressing is essential.

Football has changed so much, you know? Since I joined Manchester City, the number 9 has had to press, press high, and help the team defensively. And that's part of my DNA. As a striker, pressing, defensive contribution, and winning the ball back are all part of my DNA.

Because I feel that when you press and win the ball back, you're closer to the goal and have better scoring opportunities. It's much easier to steal the ball directly from the opposition's defense and score than to score after 30 passes. So this is very important.

Of course, when one of the greatest coaches in football history like Pep Guardiola says something like that, everyone thinks: "OK."

But of course, I learned much more from Pep Guardiola than that. I think one of my characteristics is creating things on the pitch, creating chaos.

Creating chaos?

Yes, I'm very good at creating chaos (laughs). Whether I have the ball or not, I'll be there and something will always happen.

I like that description. You're a "chaos creator," right?

Yes, whether I have the ball or not, that's very important to me.

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