Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus, two Brazilian strikers have each completed moves to two different North London sides in a space of a few days. The former completed a mega £60m transfer as part of Antnio Conte’s summer spending spree whilst the latter signed for Arsenal in a £45m deal from Manchester City – but who is the better signing?
Both players have proven themselves in the Premier League for quite a few years now, playing at the highest level week in week out. Gabriel Jesus has played an impactful role for Manchester City over the last couple of years helping them win multiple trophies while Richarlison has been the Everton talisman for several years now and played yet another important role last season helping them avoid relegation.
What do the statistics say?
Let us look at some key statistics to compare the two forwards. Richarlison has 48 goals in 173 league games for Everton while Jesus scored 58 goals in 159 games working out to 291.2 minutes per goal vs 160.5 minutes per goal on average. The former Man City star also betters in the creativity stats with 29 assists compared to Richarlison’s 16. He also created more chances for his teammates on an average of 1.5 chances per game while ex Toffee man created 0.9 chances per game.
If we are to look at the statistics and statistics alone, there is no doubt that Jesus has the edge over Richarlison in all areas. However, statistics are not the only factor to consider when comparing these two quality players, specially when you look at the two sides they have been playing for.
Gabriel Jesus has been playing for perhaps the best team of the Premier League era under Pep Guardiola alongside the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Bernando Silva, Aguero etc. Meanwhile Richarlison has cemented his place as one of the top strikers in the Premier League whilst playing for a struggling Everton side who almost got relegated last season. The fact that he has continued to score consistently over the last couple of years helping them to a number of crucial wins says all you need to know about the quality of the player.
We’ll also have to take in a couple of other factors while comparing the two such as their defensive contribution and how well they fit with the manager’s style of play. Richarlison is much more aggressive in his game and puts in 100% shifts week in week out. Tackles, clearances, aerial battles, Richarlison beats Gabriel Jesus in all areas.
He is also one of those players who simply hates losing and to win he would go to all extents even if it means cheating. And it is a trait that Antonio Conte loves. He has been trying to instill this attitude in Tottenham players since his arrival and the results were evident in the second half of the season. This is what Antonio Conte said in April:
“I think when we speak about a winning mentality, there is a process, especially for players. They want to win something in their career as they didn’t have a win before. I always said that we improved a lot in many aspects.
“Also I’m starting to feel that the players start to hate to lose. This is very important. The process is complete when after a defeat you go to your house and you are angry. You want to play another game quickly because you want to forget the loss.”
To objectively conclude, both players are excellent signings for their respective teams, however, on paper Gabriel Jesus ticks more boxes specially considering the price Arsenal got him for. Having said that, the x factor Richarlison brings to the Spurs team will make him one of the players to watch. Who will end up having a more impactful season, we’ll have to wait and see.
He played over 60 games last season if you include international for Croatia.. Perisic played 34 league games, 6 Italia cup games, and 8 champions league games for Inter. He will be fine mate.
Agreed, but he isn’t starting 60 games this season. At some point we’ll have to unleash the muppets.
They are amazing 🙂
You say that stats “are not the only factor to consider when comparing these two quality players”
Have you had that statement signed off by the boss?
I still maintain that Richarlison will start more often than not and that will be at the expense of Kulu.We haven’s paid 60M for him to sit on the bech waiting for Kane to be subbed or rested.That’s just my opinion.
As stated above the stats don’t tell the real story and in a better side Richarlison will improve,no doubt.
I think Perisic is the number one LWB now, Sess number two and Reguilon might be sold.
Jesus’ attitude is much better. Richarlison is a diving grump. Both are very good though. I would prefer to have had Jesus. Rotating with Kane would make sense and Kane could also play as a 10 with Jesus ahead of him.
Richarlison is versatile, but Jesus is a better number 9. I fully support a stronger squad, some supporters are benign in their thinking that quality players are not needed to sit on the bench (Has anyone seen Man City’s bench?). We need depth and quality in our squad, it is that simple.
Conte must have faith in the wing back/full back positions (I don’t), hence why we are not improving with tried and tested quality and expecting Reggie, Sess, Doherty and Royal to lead our flanks. This is the only stumbling block I can see. Exciting times ahead though. We just need to dump some of the numpties on loan or by the Dele Alli back door.
I’m guessing the extraordinary drugs are working well,because that’s 4 words !!
5 simple words instead of the mass phalanx of letters and words thrown into this piece:
“Only time will tell.”
However, thank you for the stats. It remains to be seen whether Jesus depends on a system of diagonal chips and crosses, and on players who actually know their roles within that system.
I believe that Richarlison has the better upside. Great industry and moderate success within a poor system has a great chance of finding its place within a good system.
Not much between the two. Richarlison is more versatile. Jesus doesn’t play act.
Jesus achieved his stats playing for the best team in the league.
Richarlison achieved his playing for relegation battlers.
It’s a lot easier to play when you’re surrounded by class. So Richarlisons stats are slightly more impressive considering their different situations.
Richarlison is bigger, stronger, more physical, better in the air, more influential on his team and has a better strike rate at Internationl level than Jesus (the only genuinely comparable metric). Trying to compare their statistics at club level is utterly pointless, given the disparity in the quality of the teams they have played for.
Jesus’s strike rate for Brazil is a mere 1 in 3, not a ratio even approaching that of a ‘top class’ striker. That is not to say that Jesus is not a good player, nor a high character guy, but is he the prolific goal scoring striker the Arse actually need, to replace prime time Aubameyang, with those stats I highly doubt it!