Coach backs Man City-bound Gabriel Jesus to end goal drought

Manchester City-bound Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus is close to recapturing his scoring form after a seven-game goal drought, Palmeiras coach Alexi Stival said on Friday.

The 19-year-old, who until last month was the top scorer in Brazil's Serie A championship, has not netted for the competition leaders since their 1-1 draw with Flamengo on September 14.

"He is contributing and it's only a matter of time before he scores," Stival, who is better known as Cuca, told reporters. "We hope that it's soon but the pressure on him is coming from the outside, not from within the club."

Manchester City beat off interest from Barcelona to sign Gabriel for 27 million British pounds in August. The Premier League club agreed to allow the forward to remain at Palmeiras until the end of the current Brazilian season in December.

Despite his recent dry spell, Gabriel has scored 20 goals across all competitions for Palmeiras this year. The teenager has also hit the target four times in four matches for Brazil since making his international debut in September.

"He will have to learn to cope with that [pressure]," Cuca said. "The best players always have expectations to perform and he has to understand that it's normal. I have spoken to him about that.

"He is at another level. He combines strength with speed and he gives us a lot tactically. He is not limited to just one position. Because of that he is very important to us. He gives us so many options."

Aiming for their first top-flight title since 1994, Palmeiras have a five-point lead at the top of the Serie A standings with five matches remaining this season.

"The most important thing for us is to be champions, regardless of who scores," Cuca said. "He [Gabriel] will contribute and soon enough he will be back on the scoresheet." Endit