Bojan Krkic Praises Gabriel Jesus as Ideal Forward

Bojan Krkic Sr has revealed just how highly he rates Gabriel Jesus – and how long he has been tracking the Brazilian forward.

“I bet a lot on him,” Krkic told Sport, recalling his first impressions from Jesus’ Manchester City days. “The reports were very good. I went to see him twice when he was at City and there was talk that he could leave, before he left for Arsenal. And it wasn’t just me.”

What struck him immediately was the technical package.

“He’s a very good player technically. He guides with both legs, drives the ball well and reacts very quickly in tight spaces.”

For Krkic, the key is that Jesus does not fit the mould of a traditional No 9. That, he believes, makes him perfect for a coach like Hansi Flick.

“Gabriel Jesus is not a static centre-forward, he can appear in all areas of the area and also drop to the wing. And that is precisely what Hansi wants: that they constantly exchange positions. The good thing about him is that he is very hardworking. He is a team player and works a lot on the first press. When he has to go to press, he really gets involved.”

Krkic painted the picture of a forward who never lets defenders settle.

“He has a lot of mobility, he messes up the defense, he offers passing lines, he presses and he associates. Gabriel perhaps gives you even more in that associative game,” he said, underlining the Brazilian’s ability to link play and knit attacks together.

For Krkic, this is more than just a smart signing. It is a moment to seize.

“It’s a golden opportunity. He has a mentality, he is aggressive when he plays, he has a change of pace and quality to finish. He can be a great success for the club.”