Brazil coach Tite has heaped praise on Palmeiras for the development of Manchester City and Brazil star Gabriel Jesus.
The 19-year-old made a stunning start to life with the national team last year, hitting five goals in six appearances in 2016, before taking England by storm following his January arrival.
And Tite says all the credit should go to Jesus’ former club for the rapid development he has undergone over the past 12 months.
READ MORE:
We are all Chape | Brazil to meet Argentina | Neymar at 25 | Meet Barca target Vinicius
“The work done by the player himself and everyone at Palmeiras is worthy of huge praise. His progress is a reflection on him as a person and as an athlete, and to all those who gave him the opportunity to go the Olympics and become a member of the national team,” Tite told SporTV.
“Europe is now enjoying a player who was formed at Palmeiras.”
Gabriel Jesus hit 12 goals in 26 starts to lead Palmeiras to the Brazilian league title last season, ending the season as the tournament’s joint-third top goalscorer, despite missing a third of the season due to his international obligations.
Palmeiras/Divulgação
He then hit three goals in three Premier League starts before picking up a metatarsal injury that required surgery this week and could see him out of action for up to three months.
And Tite insists City and coach Pep Guardiola should be thankful to the teenager’s former coaches in Sao Paulo.
“It is unfair to accredit Guardiola in such a short time,” Tite continued.
Cesar Greco/ Fotoarena
“It was Cuca who was the foundations for him to star at Palmeiras, it was Oswaldo de Oliveira and Marcelo Oliveira who worked with him previously. Let's be fair in that regard: Guardiola is reaping the fruit of the other coaches.”
Jesus’ toe injury means he will miss Brazil’s March World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Paraguay.
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=640&quality=60)
-min.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=640&quality=60)