Igor Jesus interview: Forest forward on Gibbs-White, four coaches and World Cup chats with Murillo

AFC BournemouthArsenalAston VillaBrentfordBrighton & Hove AlbionBurnleyChelseaCrystal PalaceEvertonFulhamLeeds UnitedLiverpoolManchester CityManchester UnitedNewcastle UnitedNottingham ForestSunderlandTottenham HotspurWest Ham UnitedWolverhampton WanderersScores & ScheduleStandingsFantasyThe Athletic FC NewsletterPodcastsExclusiveIgor Jesus interview: Forest forward on Gibbs-White, four coaches and World Cup chats with MurilloIgor Jesus has scored 16 goals this season Alex Pantling/Getty Images Share articleBrian Clough may be the only footballing god for many Nottingham Forest fans, but during a dramatic season, they have increasingly begun to put their faith in Jesus. Clough led Forest to back-to-back European Cup wins in 1979 and 1980 and once said: “The River Trent is lovely, I know because I have walked on it for years.” Since Igor Jesus joined from Botafogo for £16million last summer, Forest supporters have repurposed that with the chant of: “Igor Jesus, he walks on the Trent.” While there is praise from the stands for his success, the 25-year-old has taken time to adjust to the city and club. Born in the central Brazilian city of Cuiaba, the average high temperature in May is around 34C whereas in Nottingham, it is more like 17C. “At first it was hard to settle in Nottingham,” he tells The Athletic. “It was difficult as I found it cold here! You cannot do some of the things I would be used to doing in Brazil. There are nice restaurants and lots of things to do. But it is different. It actually probably helped me to begin with — the new environment — because there were not so many distractions. “I have been able to focus on my work entirely and I hope that has shown in my performances.” His confidently taken penalty in the 3-1 win at Chelsea, which all but secured Premier League safety, was his 16th goal of the season and there is a strong chance he will start against Aston Villa in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final in Birmingham. Jesus has thrived in the competition, scoring seven of his Forest goals on the European stage, including in wins over Utrecht, Porto, Ferencvaros and Fenerbahce. And he hopes he will get to hear his chant a few more times in the coming weeks. “I am really happy to get that recognition from fans. When I score, they always sing my song. I hope to keep scoring because I want to hear that song. It means so much to me. I love it,” Jesus says. Jesus has also had to cope with the emotional strain of being away from his partner, Angelica, while she gave birth to his son, Henri, back home in Brazil on May 2. It has not just required inner strength for Jesus to thrive at Forest — but physical strength too. “Every player here is so strong. You have to improve your physicality or you will get left behind,” Jesus says. “Every player who comes to the Premier League can be surprised by this. You have to go through this process to adapt. “You have less time to think because the opposition teams are capable of closing every little space so rapidly. It is more demanding.” A post shared by IGOR JESUS (@igorjesus0) In the incredible 5-0 win at Sunderland last month, Jesus was the catalyst for two goals and scored another as Forest edged towards securing their safety. “It was probably (my best performance for Forest),” Jesus says. “It is the fruit of the work I have been doing since I arrived. I have focused and worked so hard on staying fit and available. I think what we are seeing now, what is happening out there, is giving me some continuity in the team.” The return of 34-year-old forward Chris Wood from a serious knee injury in recent weeks has also transformed the dynamic for Jesus, who has gone from being asked to lead the line to playing just off the New Zealand international. “Chris is an intelligent player, he has great spatial awareness and knows how to open up spaces for others,” Jesus says. “We are working together all the time. How can we receive the ball in good areas? How can we make space for others to exploit? That makes all the difference, when the team is synchronised. I think the results have improved exactly because we now have that understanding.” Since Wood’s return, Forest have taken 10 points from their last four Premier League games — scoring 13 goals. The attacking quartet of Wood, Jesus, Morgan Gibbs-White and Omari Hutchinson has been a significant factor. Gibbs-White has scored 13 Premier League goals this season — seven of those have come since the start of March, as the attacking midfielder stakes a claim for a return to the England squad. “Morgan is really talented. He just knows how this league works. He understands space and attacking movement,” Jesus says. “When we create those spaces, we can attack them really efficiently. He really knows how to make the most of them. He has performed so well lately.” Jesus hopes his own form will not go unnoticed by Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti, ahead of this summer’s World Cup, even if he has not added to his five international caps since last year. “I have been working towards the World Cup. I hope my name will be on the list. It would mean so much,” says Jesus, who adds that fellow Brazil and Forest defender Murillo shares his aspirations. “We talk. It is a dream. Brazil have so many good players. But we also feel that we have the quality to be on the list.” Nuno Espirito Santo was Forest head coach when Jesus signed in July, since which Ange Postecoglou and Sean Dyche have followed before Vitor Pereira’s appointment in February. “The four coaches have all had different ideas, so the most important thing for us is to adapt to the ideas of the coach in front of us,” Jesus says. “It has always been a matter of not questioning it, just working hard to get the results we need. “We know we have had a tough season, with big changes. We have Vitor now; somebody who is working well with the team and who is clear in what he wants. Vitor is so nice. Such a nice guy. We all know what is expected of us. “We have all adapted to his style. We feel we are improving all the time. Now we are one step away from a European final and the chance to crown this season off in gold.” That step will not actually come on the surface of the Trent, but if Jesus can help Forest to take it, he will almost certainly get to hear his song, just as loud as ever. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms