Friday 3 October 2014 12:23, UK
After French midfielder Samir Nasri underwent surgery in midweek, the extent of his groin problem hit home, and the reality became palpable that such a creative force will be missing for a crucial period in Manchester City’s season.
However, waiting in the wings, City have a potent weapon, who, despite being restricted to one start this season and having played second-fiddle to Nasri and compatriot David Silva last campaign, can really open up defences and offer City a threat no other amongst their illustrious ranks can provide.
Jesus Navas made 18 starts in City’s title success last year compared to Nasri’s 29 and, despite the gulf in minutes played, the pair both finished the glittering campaign with nine assists apiece.
This season has been no different as regardless of starting only once for Pellegrini’s men in the league, the former Sevilla winger already has laid on two goals of quality against two of City’s title rivals.
Not only that, Navas has created eight chances, with his solo assist and nine chances created from four starts not quite as impressive.
Even more striking, since he arrived in Manchester, the Spaniard has provided more assists than Eden Hazard, Philippe Coutinho, Raheem Sterling, Juan Mata and Adam Lallana, while making less appearances than all those aforementioned.
Such stats have gone unnoticed by the masses, but in a season where the title race could once again go down to the wire, having another option amongst a plethora of squad ability could be the difference between title glory and what might have been.
All of this comes after having to overcome chronic homesickness, an affliction that needed professional help to cure.
As Mancunian rocker and City fan Noel Gallagher so eloquently put it, Navas did feel Half the World Away at The Etihad after leaving Seville for the first time in his career.
However, with the help of his brother, Marco, who spent last season close to his sibling while playing for League Two side Bury, the 28-year-old settled and seems now to be right at home.
“I’m ready for this. This is something that I really want. I’m here to achieve really big things. So that is driving me to adapt here to the football and the culture,” Navas confidently proclaimed last season with an aura of a man on a mission.
He also arrived with a huge weight of expectation on his melancholic shoulders after leaving his beloved homeland last summer, just to add an obstacle to overcome.
Navas created the most chances from open play (71) in the 2012/13 La Liga season, and the most in the whole of Europe in the 2012 calendar year.
Chelsea have been mightily impressive so far, and looking so formidable, City cannot afford any more slip ups, even at this stage of the season.
James Milner’s all-action display against Chelsea could indicate there may be more disappointment for Navas when Pellegrini’s teamsheet is announced for City’s Saturday Night Football clash with Aston Villa, with the Chilean supremo likely to opt for the safer option on a ground City succumbed to a rare defeat last season.
Navas, however, offers natural width, which can even be utilised in a five-man midfield, offering a different dimension to the City side, and create the chances a fit-again Sergio Aguero can thrive upon.
Ashley Cole did not do Navas any favours by proving he is still as formidable an opponent as any, even on the biggest stage of all, in City’s midweek UEFA Champions League draw with Roma. However, being stifled by Cole should not deter Navas, as a myriad of attacking talent has struggled to overcome the former England full-back.
His homesickness well and truly behind him, Navas, as Gallagher proclaimed, has been lost then found, but hasn’t gotten himself down.
And in what promises to be one of the toughest title defences, a settled Navas could end up being the gamechanger in a season of the finest of margins between success and failure.
Watch Aston Villa v Manchester City live on Sky Sports 1HD on Saturday Night Football from 4.45pm
