Gabriel Jesus transfer situation forces Pep Guardiola into uncomfortable Man City decision

Pep Guardiola is not the man you want to be challenging to a big-money poker game.

Alarmingly holding more than the regulation number of aces at any given time, the revolutionary Spaniard has no concerns with shuffling his pack, either. He gives little away to those wanting a clue and, financially speaking, there are few who can compete with Guardiola in the transfer market. Only the odds might just have shifted.

As all great managers do, Guardiola demands to be in control. He thrives off that responsibility and the landscape within English football has changed dramatically since he swapped sunny Barcelona for Manchester - following his three-season stop in Munich. That's without (yet) managing to get his hands on the big one.

READ MORE: Erling Haaland sends Man City welcome reminder before £51million transfer

Erling Haaland will touch down shortly and pick up the mantle as goal-scoring king. It must send shivers down the spines of rival defenders knowing that City netted a jaw-dropping 99 times in the Premier League alone during the victory parade without a recognised number nine.

Yet it was that collective endeavour which best highlights the biggest strength for Guardiola and his team. That is set to change when Haaland jets in.

Despite missing out on Harry Kane last summer, City raised the stakes to sign £100million man Jack Grealish and he, heading towards the business end of the season, had to settle for a place on the bench in favour of mainstays such as Gabriel Jesus. It was Jesus who was trusted more than most at crunch time.

Guardiola put a limit on his tinkering for both legs of the Champions League showdown with eventual champions, Real Madrid, although he did opt to freshen up his attack for those