I am no longer Jesus Nervous

Man City star beats his anxiety to shine in shootout

NAV SETTLER ... Jesus Navas banished his anxiety with semi-final shootout winner against Italy

MANCHESTER CITY’S new star Jesus Navas says his days of crippling anxiety are over.

And he proved as much by keeping a cool head in the heat of Brazil on Thursday when he fired home Spain’s sudden-death winning penalty.

The previously nervous Navas, 27, sent his country into the Confederations Cup Final for a meeting on Sunday with the hosts.

And his steely nerve at the death against Italy belied the tales of a panic-filled past whenever he left his home near Seville.

Navas said: “I didn’t let anything cross my mind because I was so certain what the objective was. We were mentally strong and that’s what made the difference.”

Speedy winger Navas was not even able to play for Spain until 2009 because of anxiety brought on by homesickness.

He turned down a move to Chelsea when he was 20, so there are understandable question marks whether his switch from Seville to City, which could eventually cost £21million, will work.

But Blues striker and Spain team-mate Fernando Torres has no doubts.

He said: “After everything that he’s had to go through, he’s gone on to be mentally very strong.

“The confidence he showed in taking that penalty matches the confidence we all had in him. I’m glad that he’s the man of the hour.”

Barca’s Spanish defender Gerard Pique added: “He’s a player who always offers you something a bit different.”

The World and European champion is certainly exciting City fans ahead of the new season.

And a positive Navas said: “I’m going to a great club in England. They’ve put a lot of faith in me and I want to continue doing well and growing there.”