Rio de Janeiro, Nov 24 (IANS): Manchester City-bound teenager Gabriel Jesus has the potential to be among the top 10 footballers in the world, according to his coach at Brazilian club Palmeiras.

The 19-year-old striker has scored five goals in six matches for the Brazilian national team and was a key player in the their Rio Olympic Games triumph in August, reports Xinhua.

"He may not be mature for England, but he is a starter for Brazil, and will be very important and a starter at City," Palmeiras coach Cuca was quoted as saying by Sambafoot on Wednesday.

"You cannot think that at 19 he is at his peak. He will still improve 30 percent or 40 percent. Experience will give him more maturity. He will do this by himself, not Cuca or Manchester City coach Guardiola."

"In England, football is more tactical and he will learn many things, establishing himself among the top 10 in the world. He is a young man with great technique, strength and speed. And he has a characteristic: he enjoys physical confrontation and knows how to use it to his advantage."

Jesus will join Manchester City in January after the Premier League club agreed to pay 27 million British pounds ($33.5 million) for the forward in August.