Brazil and Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus predicts the Premier League will not be decided until the last few games, even though Liverpool currently hold a commanding lead at the top.
Liverpool are now eight points clear of both Leicester City and Chelsea, and nine ahead of defending champions City after 12 games.
The Merseysiders ran out 3-1 winners against Pep Guardiola's side on Sunday, putting them in pole position to end their 30-year quest to win the title.
But despite the disappointment of their defeat at Anfield still being so raw, Jesus insists all is not lost.
“There are 26 matches left and that’s a long way out even to think who will win the Premier League,” the 22-year-old said before joining Brazil’s training session at the Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
“Liverpool are playing really well. They were beaten only once last season but we will take them on and keep fighting for the title again.
“We will try to do our maximum and we will recover. We know we have the capacity to do this. Obviously, we want to win the championship.”
Jesus revealed he has learnt a few things to improve his own games under Guardiola. “He’s a manager who always try to get the best from every player. My job as a forward is to score but he’s taught me how to relax my mind to think what I got to do when playing.
“He’s taught me how and when to select my best moments on the pitch, like how and when to pass, when to dribble or shoot. I learnt from him to wait for the right moments on the pitch.”
Jesus is in the Brazil squad preparing to play arch rivals Argentina in a friendly in Saudi Arabia on Friday and another against South Korea at the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
“It’s always good to play a derby, especially against Argentina. For me, it’s the biggest derby in the world,” Jesus said.
“It’s a special moment for me because playing for Brazil against the biggest rival is a great opportunity. It’s not only for me but everyone in the team, to put all the efforts to win this match.”
Jesus, 22, has earned 37 international caps for Brazil since his debut in September 2016, scoring 18 goals. He has an Olympic gold at Rio 2016 and a member of the 2018 World Cup, but wants more.
“Yes, I want to play in another World Cup and not only that, but want to be a World Cup winner,” he said when asked of his ambitions to play in Qatar 2022.
“I always dream of playing in the next World Cup but there are also several others who want to make it to the squad. Things are happening very fast for me in life and I may realise this dream.
“I couldn’t win in the first opportunity but things sometimes don’t happen. I’m far from over with my football and if I get another chance or perhaps two, to play in a World Cup, I will be very happy.”
And what about playing in another Olympics? “I will leave that for our confederation to decide,” he said. “But given the choice I would like to play again in the Olympics.”
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What drives subscription retailing?
Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.
The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.
The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.
The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.
UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.
That’s expected to remain unchanged until 2025, when women will represent a $246.6bn market share, owing to increasing numbers of start-ups targeting women.
Personal care and beauty occupy the largest chunk of the worldwide subscription e-commerce market, with changing lifestyles, work schedules, customisation and convenience among the chief future drivers.
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How The Debt Panel's advice helped readers in 2019
December 11: 'My husband died, so what happens to the Dh240,000 he owes in the UAE?'
JL, a housewife from India, wrote to us about her husband, who died earlier this month. He left behind an outstanding loan of Dh240,000 and she was hoping to pay it off with an insurance policy he had taken out. She also wanted to recover some of her husband’s end-of-service liabilities to help support her and her son.
“I have no words to thank you for helping me out,” she wrote to The Debt Panel after receiving the panellists' comments. “The advice has given me an idea of the present status of the loan and how to take it up further. I will draft a letter and send it to the email ID on the bank’s website along with the death certificate. I hope and pray to find a way out of this.”
November 26: ‘I owe Dh100,000 because my employer has not paid me for a year’
SL, a financial services employee from India, left the UAE in June after quitting his job because his employer had not paid him since November 2018. He owes Dh103,800 on four debts and was told by the panellists he may be able to use the insolvency law to solve his issue.
SL thanked the panellists for their efforts. "Indeed, I have some clarity on the consequence of the case and the next steps to take regarding my situation," he says. "Hopefully, I will be able to provide a positive testimony soon."
October 15: 'I lost my job and left the UAE owing Dh71,000. Can I return?'
MS, an energy sector employee from South Africa, left the UAE in August after losing his Dh12,000 job. He was struggling to meet the repayments while securing a new position in the UAE and feared he would be detained if he returned. He has now secured a new job and will return to the Emirates this month.
“The insolvency law is indeed a relief to hear,” he says. "I will not apply for insolvency at this stage. I have been able to pay something towards my loan and credit card. As it stands, I only have a one-month deficit, which I will be able to recover by the end of December."
