Jesus: Pressing, defending, and regaining the ball are in my DNA—I'm good at creating chaos

Barcelona forward Gabriel Jesus was interviewed by the Tot costa program on 3Cat, where he discussed his adaptation since joining Barcelona, the competition for a place in the squad, and his playing style. He also spoke about Raphinha, Guardiola, Flick, and the team's Champions League ambitions. This is the second part of the exclusive interview.

But that's the issue. You just said, "I scored a goal after 10 minutes." I checked, and you've played a total of 20 minutes across two appearances—10 minutes plus 10 minutes—you hit the post once, and you scored one goal. But you didn't play in the next match. That situation must have been difficult to deal with.

Of course it's not easy. Especially because I work very hard and I want to be on the pitch. I feel I can help the team much more on the pitch than off it. However, with my current experience, I already know that things like this happen. One match is different from another, and it also depends on the specific situation of each game.

For example, in the last match, the team was already leading 3-0, and maybe in that situation I would have had the chance to play more than 20 minutes. Another match might be 20 minutes, 30 minutes, or maybe there's a game where I start from the beginning. These things happen throughout the season—it's very normal.

We've only played five or six matches this season, right? I've played in 3 since I arrived here, and 3 before that, so only 6 in total. There are more than 50 matches still to come. So I know there will be a time when I get my chance. But I must say again, the most important thing is that everyone stays in good condition. It's better to have 25 players in good shape than just 11.

Let me go back to when Barcelona contacted you. Throughout your career, you've played in almost every position across the front line. In some seasons, you've even played more on the wing than as a pure No. 9. When Barcelona contacted you, did they explicitly say, "We want you to play as a No. 9"? In fact, they also gave you the No. 9 shirt. I ask this because the team already has plenty of wingers. So Barcelona's initial idea in signing you was for you to primarily play as No. 9 this time, right?

Yes, more as a No. 9 than as a winger. But as you said, I've played in many positions throughout my career. I'd say around 65 to 70 percent of my matches, I've played as a striker, and the other 30 to 35 percent, I've played as a right winger, left winger, sometimes as a No. 10, and I've even played as a No. 8. I think this is a very important ability that will help me and the team a lot.

However, they didn't explicitly tell me whether I would play more as a No. 9 or more as a winger. Of course, wherever the coach puts me, I will try my best.

You've already said your knee is fine now and has recovered. But you had limited playing time last season, so you lack match consistency. When can we expect to see Gabriel Jesus at his best?

That's right. I was out for almost a year due to a knee injury, and then I returned in December last year. After December, I played many matches for Arsenal. Then, of course, my playing time was reduced again. I played in the last Premier League match, and then that was it. I also participated in preseason and played some minutes for Arsenal.

Of course, it's not easy. Every player needs to be on the pitch, needs playing time to show their abilities, and needs to find their rhythm through matches—that's very normal.

I also know well that since I arrived at Barcelona, Raphinha is now playing as a No. 9 and has been scoring. Naturally, he'll likely keep playing a lot of matches, and he deserves this opportunity. So what I need to do is work hard to compete and then wait for my chance. Only when I get more playing time can I truly find my rhythm.

Of course, I'm training very well now, and I'm doing everything right. But as I said, at this stage of my football career, I'm no longer a young player. I've experienced a lot in football. I know this season is long, and there are many matches ahead. Right now it's about focusing on the next match, hoping to get playing time, and then trying my best.

Have you set a goal target for yourself? Like how many goals do you expect to score this season?

Given my current situation, it's difficult to talk about specific numbers. I'm someone who is very honest with myself, and because of that, sometimes I can't always do interviews because I'm too blunt (laughs). I'll say what I actually think, what I believe might happen. That's the type of person I am. So given my current situation, it's hard to say a specific number. 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 already leading 3-0, 4-0. I want to score important goals to help Barcelona advance in the league and help the team progress in the Champions League. I really want to score many goals. Not just goals, I also want to create chances for my teammates, because that's also a very important ability of mine.

So a specific number is hard to say. Given my current situation, it's very difficult to give a number, but of course, I hope to score many goals.

Be careful though. Because you just mentioned Ronaldo—when Romário came here, he immediately said, "I will score 30 goals."

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

Since we're on the subject, Romário or Ronaldo?

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

We just talked about your playing style. Guardiola once said you're the best defensive forward he's ever seen. Does this mean you're a good fit for Flick's philosophy? Because in Flick's system, a forward who participates in pressing is non-negotiable.

Football has changed a lot, you know? Since I joined Manchester City, the No. 9 position has required pressing, high pressing, and always helping the team. And that's part of my DNA. As a forward, pressing, helping the team defend, and regaining the ball—these are all part of my DNA.

Because I think when you press and regain the ball, you're closer to goal and have better chances to score. It's much easier to steal the ball directly from an opposing defender and score than to score after 30 consecutive passes. So this is very important.

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

But of course, what I learned from Guardiola goes far beyond that. I think one of my characteristics is being able to create things on the pitch, to create chaos.

Create chaos?

Yes, I'm very good at creating chaos (laughs). With or without the ball, I'll be there, and something will always happen.

I really like that phrase. You're a "chaos creator," aren't you?

Yes, with or without the ball. That's very important to me.

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