Guardiola shifts focus to Jesus' overall contribution amid goal drought

The Brazilian forward has become a target for critics, having not even registered a shot on target in the Premier League this month.

Pep Guardiola is confident that Gabriel Jesus will ‘soon’ find his stride and start firing goals for Manchester City.

The striker started the season on a high note finding the net in each of his first three appearances but has endured a barren run in the final third lately.

Not only has he failed to get on the scoresheet in his previous six games but the 23-year-old has also failed to even hit the target since scoring the equalizing goal in his side’s 1-1 draw against Liverpool on November 8.

Much criticism was aimed his way when he missed a clear chance that could have been the winning goal for Man City in the 0-0 stalemate against Manchester United.

Jesus’s goals are needed now more than ever with the club’s all-time leading scorer Sergio Aguero going through a rough patch.

“Yeah, he will do it [score] soon. I see him every day and I love him so much what he does,” the club’s official website quotes Guardiola.

“One of the reasons we concede so few is exclusively for him.

“I want his goals, but his contribution is as the best striker in the world at doing things that not any other striker can do for the team.

“Regaining the ball, pressing high, being in the opponents’ 18-yard box – he helps us to do it.”