Football
Jonathan Smith, Manchester City correspondent 7y

Man City striker Gabriel Jesus thought adapting 'would be harder'

Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus says he's surprised at how quickly he's adapted to life in the Premier League.

Gabriel scored the final goal in City's 5-0 victory over Watford on Sunday to take his tally to seven goals in just 11 appearances following his £27 million move from Palmeiras in January.

That result ensured that City qualified directly for the Champions League group stage, but while the 20-year-old has been an instant success on the pitch, he says he has found it harder adjusting to living in England.

"I thought it would be harder," Gabriel told ESPN Brasil. "It hasn't been easy, for sure, I changed my life completely, but I'll never complain about it. I'm grateful for being here, realising a dream, playing in Europe.

"When I left Palmeiras, it was sad, but happy as well, with a title."

Gabriel admits that he his missing his mother, Vera Lucia, who brought up him, his brothers and sister in a Sao Paulo favela.

The forward, who has a tattoo dedicated to her, says he is looking forward to meeting up with his family again after finishing the season.

"Everybody is helping me here, [Brazilian teammates] Fernandinho, Fernando, but the club as well. They help my family, my friends that are here with me," he added.

"I'm missing my mum a little, she is in Brazil with my brothers and nephews. But, when she is happy, I am too. This week we will meet and end this feeling."

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