ONES TO WATCH: Real Sociedad’s Jonathas de Jesus

La Liga has finally returned and I’ll be using this series to introduce you to those who perhaps aren’t quite as internationally recognised as your Cristiano’s or Messi’s but who are well worth keeping an eye on during the next year. First up, Jonathas de Jesus, who recently moved to Real Sociedad.

Back in the summer of 2014 when Elche signed a journeyman striker who had played at NINE previous clubs, no one really took any notice. Jonathas de Jesus, or Jonathas as he’s more commonly known, had struggled to find form in Europe’s top leagues and had only regularly scored goals for two different teams in Italy’s Serie B. It had all the hallmarks of being the standard signing you’d come to expect from a low level team in one of Europe’s main leagues.

Jonathas was considered a bright prospect as he came through the youth ranks at Cruziero, helping the side win the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior or Copinha, as it’s more commonly known, in 2007. He was tall, strong and decent on the ball but still very raw, and it wasn’t long before European teams began to circle. He moved to AZ Alkmaar at the tender age of 20 and despite scoring in his first two appearances for the side, ultimately failed to nail down a starting spot and was moved on to Italy 18 months later. There he discovered his Midas touch in front of goal, albeit in the 2nd tier, scoring 31 goals in 70 appearances for Brescia and Latina respectively.

He eventually got a move out of Italy and joined Elche, in neighbouring Spain, on loan deal with an option to buy at the end of it. His signing was met largely with positivity. The club itself, in amidst financial difficulties, had continued to strengthen its squad to the best of their ability and signing a goalscoring Brazilian striker on loan, with an option to make it permanent for just €1.5m, seemed like a no brainer.

It didn’t take long for Jonathas to make his mark at Elche as he scored in his 3rd match for the club away to Rayo Vallecano. He had two defenders to beat, speeding past one, then palming the other away before firing into the bottom corner. He grabbed an assist too, as Elche recorded their first win of the season.

His pace, power and drive continued against Almeria as he raced onto a long pass, controlled the ball, brushed off the defender and smashed it high into the roof of the net. He would later find himself sent off for two bookable offences and Elche failed to hold on to the victory, eventually drawing 2-2.

He hit a fine run of form leading up to Christmas scoring 6 in 11 appearances. I don’t think any defender wanted to come up against him by that point. Elche weren’t creating a lot of chances but Jonathas was becoming almost unplayable. Everyone at Elche knew their La Liga fate rested in this player’s hands.

Jonathas is a centre forward who has all the tools to succeed at the very top. Sometimes you just assume tall players will be great in the air but nothing could be further from the truth. Not in Jonathas’ case. He embraced the physical side and was formidable from set pieces. So if he’s good in the air, try and keep the ball on the floor, you say?

Wrong.

As you’d traditionally expect from Brazilian footballers Jonathas is at home with the ball at his feet too and has plenty of tricks in his locker. He’s more than comfortable dribbling past an opponent, then using his strength to keep the defender at bay so his teammates can move forward to support him. In fact, alongside scoring 14 goals he also provided an impressive 7 assists last season.

Jonathas’ contribution was enough to fire Elche into a very respectable 13^th place but due to their dire financial situation, owing over three million in unpaid tax, they were relegated from La Liga during the summer. The club became embroiled in lengthy court cases as appeals were lodged – and rejected – but Jonathas had already decided that he wanted a new challenge. The player himself actually went to court with Elche over the terms of his contract but an agreement was reached with Real Sociedad for him to move up north for €7.2m, despite late interest from Corinthians.

He was affectionately referred to as the ‘Diego Costa of Elche’ and a Brazil call-up can’t be too far away. Real Sociedad will need him to match and then succeed the level he produced at his former club if they are to get in the mix for the Europa League places next season as the competition is fierce. He’s no longer an unknown quantity and will be playing alongside more talented teammates, so it’s natural that the expectation levels will rise as well.

If he continues to produce the goods, coupled with his natural traits, expect the number of admirers in him to continue to grow - both here in Spain as well as in the Premier League, where top level strikers are becoming increasingly hard to find.