Jesus: A first look

There was a lot of hype surrounding Manchester City's 4 big summer signings, Fernandinho for a somewhat inflated £32 million fee, Montenegro ace Stevan Jovetic for £23 million, and Sevilla's attacking duo Jesus Navas and Alvaro Negredo for a combined £35 million fee. With Fernandinho not participating for his country Brazil in this summer's Confederations Cup and Negredo having not signed for Manchester City at this moment in time, all eyes were on Jesus Navas and how he performed for Spain. And didn't he perform.

Jesus Navas posing in his new Manchester City strip

Navas had received many a critique following his transfer from Sevilla to Manchester City and many had raised concerns to whether he would cut it in the Premier League. He had performed consistently well in LA Liga for a number of seasons, but his goal threat was put to question. No goals in 30 appearances last year is worrying for anyone who is looking for a goal threat especially when Manchester City had numerous problems in front of goal last season, highlighted by countless 0-0 draws across their campaign. He may possess electrifying pace and can bamboozle opposing full backs with constant ease, but his goal scoring record is a huge problem and he will probably not be able to solve Manchester City's woes in front of goal. 

Concerns have also been raised over Navas' prone to being homesick. During his stay at Sevilla, he often found it troublesome to travel to away games in Europe and has also been unavailable to represent his national team a number of times for the same reason. Although he has quashed fears by stating that his homesickness is in the past, it could still be a hindrance to his participation this season. If his homesickness does occur and many have said that it might, then Navas' £15 million acquisition could well backfire on Manchester City.

But as said earlier, it does seem as if Navas has overcome his homesickness. In 2009 he spoke of  his determination to become a key asset in Spain's future expedition for trophies, stating 'To play for your country is the greatest thing and I hope to be able to, too. I have to be calm and make my decision.' He went on to represent Spain at the 2010 World Cup and at Euro 2012, as well as featuring in Spain's road to the Confederations Cup final this summer. With 23 caps to date and no notifications of homesickness both at club or International level for a number of years, this indicates his anxiety problems are long gone, easing fears some may have had over his availability this season.



Navas' ability is emphasised by him managing to accumulate an impressive 23
 caps for potentially the greatest national side of all time

There's also no doubting his pedigree. 23 caps for undoubtedly this generations best International side is impressive, considering Spain possess a number of world class midfielders in the shape of Iniesta, Fabregas, Xavi, Cazorla, Pedro and Mata amongst others. I like Navas as he plays very similarly to me; he likes to isolate full backs and likes to beat them with his pace in one on one situations. This ability was plain to see in this summers Confederations Cup, his electrifying pace tearing apart opposition defences; and he was able to create a number of goal scoring opportunities for his side despite only making a few cameo appearances. Even in the final against Brazil where they were being played off the park, Navas stepped up and looked Spain's only bright spark in a team that looked as if they had run out of ideas. 

City have been crying out for an out and out winger over the years that can provide for the likes of Aguero up front and with Navas, who looks a better version of England's Aaron Lennon, they may have found their man. Milner has done a job down the right hand side over the years, but it is evidently a problematic position for the Citizens. Milner's energy and work rate is more suited to a box to box midfielder and with out being offensive, he is more of a defensive minded player and provides little threat down the right. By shifting him in side as cover for Fernandinho (who is known for being prone to injuries) and Yaya Toure, Navas can replace him and with his pace and attacking flair down the right, will undoubtedly be a positive acquisition; one that may well make the difference in the title race this season.