It didn't take long for Chelsea to reach the point where a new forward might have to be considered. The £97.5 million signing of Romelu Lukaku has proved to be far from smooth sailing. With the Belgian seeming set on a return to Inter Milan. Thomas Tuchel is understood to be willing to allow the forward to leave.
That will require a significant loan fee to be sanctioned, however, but Chelsea must prepare to improve, and the striker will need replacing in some fashion if he is to leave Stamford Bridge. Attacking players including Ousmane Dembele, Christopher Nkunku, and Raheem Sterling have all been under consideration for the first summer of transfer business under Todd Boehly.
Few connections have been made to out-and-out strikers, though the likes of Lautaro Martínez have been noted, a Premier League figure may be in search of time in front of goal and as the chosen striker for a top team. Gabriel Jesus has been offered to the Blues in addition to a number of teams across Europe following the arrivals of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez.
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The Brazilian star has just 12 months remaining on his contract at the Etihad Stadium, and with the prospect of his departure from Manchester City, football.london spoke to Manchester Evening News writer Alex Brotherton to get the lowdown on Jesus, how he may fit in, where his future could lie and why it may not be with Pep Guardiola.
Brother said: "Guardiola does not want players in his squad who don't want to be there, and Jesus looks more likely to leave as there's little chance he can be a first-choice striker at City.
"The Brazilian has largely played on the right-wing this season, but it seems that he wants a crack at being the starting number nine at a top-level club. Especially with the World Cup on the horizon and his place in the Brazil squad not guaranteed [he was left out of the Brazil squad in March]. With Haaland and Alvarez coming in, it looks like there will be even less chance for him to play a central attacking role, so it seems unlikely he would want to sign a new deal. With his contract expiring in 2023, it's probably the right time to sell."
While there's no doubt in Jesus' quality, there appear to be few suitors for the forward - though those named aren't short of calibre. As the 25-year-old pushes for a place in the Brazil squad that heads to Qatar, it is perhaps more likely he remains in the Premier League despite the risk that could entail for the Citizens. With the likes of Arsenal and Real Madrid in contention, however, Chelsea may be especially vulnerable to the Premier League champions' financial strength.
"The reality is that it's mostly just Premier League clubs that can afford to buy City players," said Brotherton. "At the moment, Arsenal are still probably a few years off being a direct title rival, so I think selling Jesus to Arsenal would be considered worthwhile. Chelsea are a different story, though - if City have multiple offers come in, then it would take a huge offer for them to sell either Jesus or Sterling to Chelsea, as they are a direct league and Champions League challenger."
While the City ace has a desire to lead the forward line, Blues supporters should not expect a figure like Lukaku or Chelsea's last thriving forward in Diego Costa. Nevertheless, Chelsea's set-up often looked more convincing, with Kai Havertz leading the line and utilising not dissimilar attributes. Jesus produced 13 goals and 12 assists in 41 appearances last season.
"Jesus is a versatile attacker," continued Brotherton, "Although if he leaves City, he will be doing so to be a number nine. Jesus' biggest attributes are his work-ethic and energy - he was arguably City's best presser this season, leading the press even late in the game and seemingly never tiring. His attitude is excellent, too - despite really being a sure starter in Guardiola's team, he always gives his all, more often than not, to a very high level.
"Jesus is not a traditional striker like Lukaku or Diego Costa, but he could lead the line while giving Tuchel the option of using him as a false nine or as part of a more fluid attack. Jesus would need to become more consistent with his finishing, but that's something that should sort itself out with a long run in the side, rather than constantly dropping in and out of the team as is the case at City."
