Change of guard in the forward line: Gabriel Jesus, in three keys

BarcelonaGabriel Jesus is the big news for the visit to a Valencia side in low spirits at Mestalla (4:15 PM, Movistar) in a squad list that also sees the return of Gavi, who had missed the last two matches due to injury. The expectation is that the Brazilian could make his debut with Barça in the second half. This was detailed by Hansi Flick in the press conference, where he said he was satisfied with how the former Arsenal player had trained, even though he is not yet at 100%. Jesus landed in Barcelona on Monday, was presented on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, since the team had the day off, he trained alone. On Thursday he took part in training with the group, and on Friday and Saturday—with a lighter workload because it was the day before the match—he did complete both full sessions with his teammates. His compatriot Raphinha is acting as his master of ceremonies. He also knows Cancelo, Rodri, and Eric Garcia from his time at City.

The new number for the blaugrana hopes to debut, while Julián, the great frustrated objective of the summer, played the last thirty minutes of Atlético de Madrid's defeat at San Mamés (3-0). The Brazilian, whom Barça signed in an operation that was cooked up in just over a week, brings certainties, but also some doubts. All of this will begin to be resolved when his fit on the pitch is seen. Below, three keys to an operation that, regarding the economic side –the club paid 10 million plus five in variables–, does not pose any major risk for Barça.

Diligent in work off the ball

One of the characteristics of Gabriel Jesus that Pep Guardiola praised the most during his time at City, where the Brazilian arrived in 2016 at nineteen years old from Palmeiras after Barça ruled out his signing due to his price –more than 30 million between fixed and variables–, was the Brazilian's ability "to press". Jesus is hard-working and self-sacrificing in his work without the ball, a characteristic that was non-negotiable for Guardiola and is for Flick. Before signing him for Arsenal in 2022, Arteta also highlighted this virtue.

Although Jesus' last few seasons have been marked by injuries, especially the one he had in January 2025, when he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee that kept him out of action for eleven months, at Barça there is confidence in Flick's ability to recover the best versions of the players. The Brazilian said he is recovered: “I am very well physically, the knee is not a problem. It is in the past. I am recovered. I played well at Arsenal after the injury. If I didn't play more, it was for other reasons. But physically I am very well".

The relationship with the goal

After the Gamper, Deco explained that while Ferran's absence was well covered with the signings of Gordon and Adeyemi, the challenge was to find a replacement for Lewandowski, whom he defined as a legendary goalscorer. Although the Polish striker, who at 38 years old continues to score goals for the Chicago Fire in the MLS, arrived at Barça as a great penalty-box finisher and a natural goalscorer, Jesus' profile has little to do with that.

At City he played 236 matches, scored 95 goals and provided 45 assists, in addition to winning four Premiers, one FA Cup, four League Cups and two Community Shields. His highest-scoring season in ten years in England was 2019-20, with 23 goals in 53 matches in all competitions. With Arsenal he played 123 matches, scored 32 goals and provided 22 assists. After the serious injury in January 2025, in which he did not appear until December of the same year, he concluded his time as a gunner with three goals in 14 matches. All in all, these are not the figures of a striker who guarantees between 25 and 30 goals per season.

Versatility, depth and mobility for the forward line

Despite not having a high goal-scoring ratio, Jesus managed to challenge the starting position of a City legend like Kun Agüero. "I think at City he was underrated because he coincided with highly renowned footballers like Kun, Gündogan who sometimes played as a false nine, Sané, etc... And since he lacked a bit more clinical finishing in front of goal, I think he seemed like a less good footballer than he was. Between 2019 and 2021 he was an outstanding footballer in the Premier League", explains an employee of the Manchester club to l'ARA.

While he is not a natural goalscorer –neither is Julián Álvarez–, Jesus stands out for qualities more similar to those of the Argentine forward than those of Lewandowski. The Brazilian will bring mobility to the attack and off-the-ball movement, game understanding and collective mentality, and resources to link up inside and outside the box. "I don't mind being plan B or C. Improve what's there? If they are doing fucking great, I come to help and put my qualities at the service of the team", he said on Monday. For now, he starts as Raphinha's substitute in the changing of the guard in Barça's forward line.