Samuel Eto’o was one of the most complete strikers of his generation.
The former Barcelona and Inter Milan star was not just known for his goals but also for his work rate and willingness to do whatever the team needed.
That combination made him a rare profile, and it is not easy to find strikers with similar traits in the modern game.
However, Rio Ferdinand believes Arsenal may already have a player who fits that description – Gabriel Jesus.
Prove me wrong, Gabriel Jesus could win Arsenal the Champions League.
This is insane!
Rio Ferdinand says Gabriel Jesus reminds him of Samuel Eto’o
Jesus is a very different type of striker compared to those we have seen over the years.
The Brazilian is by no means a prolific goalscorer, but he is known for his work rate, pressing and willingness to sacrifice himself for the team.
That has often led to criticism from fans, pundits and the media, but Ferdinand sees the positive side of Jesus’ game.
Recalling what Pep Guardiola once said about the Arsenal number nine, Ferdinand quizzed him about his style and compared him to Inter Milan legend Eto’o.
He said during the interview on his YouTube channel: “Pep’s description of you, I’ve got it written down, he said about you: ‘The best striker/defender I ever found.’
“Is it a big part of your game to sacrifice yourself? There are parts of your game that remind me of Samuel Eto’o, where he’s happy to do a job sometimes that is more than just about him. It’s just about the team.”
Jesus did not disagree, but he responded by making it clear that his focus is still on improving his numbers in front of goal.
“Basically, I want to score goals. I know how to score goals. That’s my main target right now, to be more in the box,” he said.
Which Premier League club would you happily sell Gabriel Jesus to?
Gabriel Jesus would be unstoppable if he had Samuel Eto’o’s finishing
Eto’o was not only a hard-working forward, but he was also one of the most clinical finishers in world football, especially during his time at Inter Milan.
The Cameroonian had the ability to score consistently in big games, which is what separated him from many other top strikers at the time.
Jesus already contributes in many ways during Arsenal’s build-up play, and he is absolutely incredible in those departments.
However, the former Manchester City man’s finishing has not always been at that elite level, and that has held him back.
On top of all the traits he possesses, if Jesus manages to become as prolific as Eto’o was in his prime, he will become one of the best strikers in the world.
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