Igor Jesus has endured a bittersweet campaign at Nottingham Forest since making the move to Europe from Botafogo last summer.
Jesus wasn’t expected to be the first-choice centre-forward at Forest this season, but a serious injury to Chris Wood has thrust him into the spotlight.
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The striker has been in fine form in the Europa League but has managed just three Premier League goals, with the Brazilian yet to score at home in the top flight.
Now, after another goalless game for Jesus in the Premier League, Darren Bent has given some advice to the Forest striker.
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Darren Bent thinks Chris Wood can help Igor Jesus
With Wood back in action following a long-term knee injury, Vitor Pereira opted to utilise him alongside Jesus against Aston Villa, with the Kiwi introduced from the bench.
Bent knows what it takes to score goals in the Premier League and he believes that the presence of Wood could actually help Jesus find the way to goal again.
He told Sky Sports: “He’s going to have to step up now that Chris Wood is fit.
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“In the Europa League, he’s been brilliant; he’s scored the majority of his goals in the Europa League, but three Premier League goals and not a single one at home, I’ve been there in terms of every time you step on the pitch, you’re wondering if it’s going to be today.
“With Chris Wood there, he’s probably going to try and help him as well because he’s the senior player, and for Jesus, he’s getting the opportunities, but he just can’t seem to take them, that’s the hard part.
“We’ve seen this season he snatches a little bit, but that comes from not scoring regularly. For me personally, he’s got to just keep doing what he’s doing and the goals will come.”
Jesus must keep working hard
There is a small sense that Jesus is trying too hard when the chances do come his way, certainly in the Premier League campaign.
The striker is still relatively young, and being thrust into the striker role this season has been a bit of a baptism of fire for the talisman.
His form in the Europa League has been absolutely fine, but it’s now imperative that he kicks on in the Premier League and proves he’s got what it takes for English football.
Bent is right to suggest that Jesus simply needs to keep working hard, and it will be fascinating to see how many goals he can score between now and the end of the campaign.
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