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Gabriel Jesus scored seven goals in his debut season in English football
The Brazilian forward's campaign was interrupted by a fractured metatarsal
However, Jesus insists he found the Premier League easier than expected
He returned to Brazil on Tuesday amid heightened security in Manchester

Published: 09:09 EDT, 23 May 2017 | Updated: 10:31 EDT, 23 May 2017

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Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus admits he expected his first season in English football to be a much sterner test.

Many foreign players struggle to adapt to the fast pace and physicality of the Premier League but Jesus suffered no such troubles - scoring three goals in his first two starts for City after joining from Brazilian champions Palmeiras.

Jesus looked well on course to permanently replace Sergio Aguero in Pep Guardiola's starting line-up before a fractured metatarsal interrupted his bright start to life at the Etihad.

Gabriel Jesus left Manchester for Brazil on Tuesday amid heightened security in the city centre

The Brazil international's apartment is just metres away from the Manchester Arena

Jesus is returning home to visit his family following the end of the domestic season

Manchester City striker Jesus says he expected his first season in England to be harder

However, he recovered from that injury in time to play a role in City's final six games of the season and ended the campaign with seven goals in all competitions.

'I thought it would be harder,' Jesus told ESPN Brasil.

'It hasn't been easy, for sure, I changed my life completely, but I'll never complain about it. I'm grateful for being here, realising a dream, playing in Europe.

'When I left Palmeiras, it was sad, but happy as well, with a title.'

Jesus scored seven goals in all competitions during a debut season interrupted by injury

Jesus admits he still misses home at times but is being helped to acclimatise by his fellow Brazilians at the Etihad.

'Everybody is helping me here, Fernandinho, Fernando, but the club as well. They help my family, my friends that are here with me,' he said.

'I'm missing my mum a little, she is in Brazil with my brothers and nephews. But, when she is happy, I am too. This week we will meet and end this feeling.'

Jesus left Manchester for Brazil on Tuesday amid heightened security in the wake of the terror attack which rocked the Manchester Arena on Monday night.

The Brazilian's apartment is just metres away from the arena, which was targeted by a suicide bomber at the end of an Ariana Grande concert.