Surprise in Jesus' numbers: 22 headed goals during his career in England

Gabriel Jesus, the new striker for FC Barcelona, possesses many well-known attributes, but his heading statistics are a surprise, especially considering his height of only 1.74m.

According to the Spanish newspaper "Mundo Deportivo", Gabriel Jesus has scored 22 headed goals during his ten seasons in England, including six seasons with Manchester City and four with Arsenal.

The Brazilian forward has scored 127 goals for Manchester City and Arsenal, with 22 of them coming from headers, which accounts for 20% of his total goals. This percentage reflects his excellence in this skill despite the height difference with many defenders he has faced in England.

The report highlights that the secret behind Gabriel Jesus's ability to score with his head lies in his excellent anticipation of where the ball will arrive and his timing, a trait that has helped him excel in aerial duels despite his relatively short stature.

In contrast, Gabriel Jesus's goal tally has declined since 2020, when he recorded his best figures with 23 goals, as he has been scoring fewer goals each season compared to the previous one. FC Barcelona hopes that his transfer will represent a turning point in his career and help him regain his scoring form.

Gabriel Jesus faces the challenge of securing enough opportunities to participate, given the level Raphinha and Firminho are showing in the false nine position, while he represents the traditional striker role in the ranks of FC Barcelona.