Manchester City have a wealth of talent at their disposal. Pep Guardiola already has devastating attackers at his disposal and the Spaniard has strengthened the Premier League champions’ attack with the addition of Savinho from Troyes.
Last year, City made history by winning their fourth consecutive Premier League title, clawing their way back into the title race and edging out rivals Arsenal by just two points.
Being so dominant, you’d think City wouldn’t want to mess with their winning formula. But year after year they bring in new faces, let old stars go and just seem to get better.
With Arsenal hot on their heels in the hunt for next year’s Premier League title, Guardiola has turned to the market to sign Savinho, a right winger who lit up La Liga with City’s sister club Girona last season.
The Brazil international arrives at the Etihad in a £33m deal, looking to add more attacking flair and directness to an already lethal forward line.
Manchester City confirmed on Friday the signing of Brazilian winger Savinho for 33 million pounds
The 20-year-old star impressed while on loan at City’s sister club Girona in La Liga last season.
Savinho has decided to wear the number 26, which was last worn at City by Riyad Mahrez
At just 20, Savinho’s rapid emergence has left fans wondering what skills he will bring to Guardiola’s team that they don’t already possess.
At Mail Sport, we take an in-depth look at City’s new energetic right-back and what he will offer the champions.
Who is Savinho?
It’s fair to say that Savinho is still in the early stages of what promises to be a successful career.
At just 20 years old, the winger made the transition to professional football just four years ago with Atlético Mineiro. Before that, his life was very different to what it is now.
The Brazilian grew up on a farm with his grandparents in Sao Mateus, a rural area of Brazil. His childhood consisted of milking cows, planting crops and riding horses through the fields. Doesn’t sound so bad, right?
Savinho loved life in the countryside, but as his footballing ability became evident from a young age, he had to swap the vegetable fields for the football pitch.
Atlético Mineiro was the lucky recipient of this promising youngster. At just 11 years old, he dazzled in a match against the Brazilian under-17 team. As soon as the talent scouts saw him, they took him away.
Savinho swapped the farm for the football pitch when he signed for Atlético Mineiro at just 11 years old
The young winger showed his talent at an early age and was quickly signed.
The Brazil international struggled during a brief loan spell at PSV Eindhoven two years ago.
His meteoric rise in Brazilian football led him to become the youngest player to ever play for Atlético at the age of 16. He went on to play 35 times in total for the Brazilian side, scoring two goals.
Savinho’s performances in his homeland caught the eye of City Football Group in 2022. He signed for French side Troyes, one of the 12 clubs in CFG, but was sent straight out on loan to PSV Eindhoven, which proved unsuccessful.
His next loan move, however, was a masterstroke. Girona, another CFG team, signed him for one season and transformed their team from mid-table to La Liga contenders.
The electrifying winger scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists in all competitions for the Spanish side, who secured Champions League qualification with a record-high third-place finish in La Liga.
However, he found his groove during his season in Spain, scoring 11 goals in all competitions.
What is your playing style?
The best way to describe Savinho is to say that he is electrifying. He can play on either wing, can move at astonishing speeds and possesses dribbling ability that many players could never even dream of.
Statistics don’t tell the story of the type of player the Brazilian is, you have to see it with your own eyes. Strong on the ball and a dynamic player, Savinho likes to challenge defenders and add excitement to the game.
Savinho told Man City’s website: “My main characteristic, the one I like the most, is to face opponents, be happy and get the crowd going.”
If he shows the style he did at Girona, the fans will be up in arms. Skill and style are an important part of the winger’s game.
Guardiola’s winging style has changed in recent years, with players such as Jeremy Doku arriving last year to bring a new dynamic to the team.
Savinho also fits that profile, with his unpredictability on the ball likely to cause problems for Premier League defences of varying standards.
The wings aren’t the only place you’ll find the Brazilian, though. He can also play as an attacking midfielder. His explosiveness works well behind the striker, as he tends to burst through gaps when they present themselves.
He will have to prove his worth to get minutes in all those positions under Guardiola, but his flexibility could be a valuable asset for City with the number of games he will inevitably be involved in.
Savinho is known for his willingness to run at defences and beat his man with his rapid pace.
Pep Guardiola signed Jeremy Doku (right) last summer to bring a new dynamic to the team.
What has been said?
Guardiola did not try to hide his joy at signing such a talented player, and the arrival of Savinho has the Spaniard beaming with joy.
Speaking to reporters during City’s pre-season tour of the United States, Guardiola said: “The impact he had at Girona was absolutely amazing,” Guardiola said. “I think Michel, the manager, has done an absolutely incredible job with him.
‘He can play on both sides, left wing, right wing, he can even play in the middle. But we need him more, especially on the wings. His one-on-one skills are devastating.
“We cannot forget that Savinho plays for the Brazilian national team. We don’t have many wingers who can play on both sides. He can use two positions.
‘We thank Girona, because without the work they have done with him there, especially the coach and all the players, it would not have been possible to bring him here.’
Savinho’s former Girona manager Michel adored him. For the Spanish coach, there were not many better in the top flight of Spanish football last season.
“I know it’s a big statement, but I haven’t seen anyone this effective in one-on-one situations since Vinicius Jr. came along,” Michel said.
‘He was perhaps the most surprising talent in La Liga considering that (Jude) Bellingham was already known around the world.’
Guardiola expressed his delight at signing Savinho during City’s pre-season tour
Girona coach Michel compared the winger’s ability in one-on-one situations to that of Vinicius Jr., pictured
International pedigree?
Considering his age, the fact that Savinho has now made a total of seven appearances for Brazil can only be considered impressive.
After impressing in La Liga, Dorival Junior gave the winger his debut for Brazil against England, his first game in charge of the national team.
With Brazil’s talent on the wings, including players like Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo, it was no easy task for Savinho to get the call to wear his country’s famous gold jersey.
Despite fierce competition for a place on the wing, Dorival kept faith with City’s new man and called him up to the national team for this summer’s Copa America.
The City new boy made his international debut for Brazil in a 1-0 win over England in March.
His first goal for his country came against Paraguay in the group stage of the 2024 Copa América.
In what was a disappointing tournament for Brazil, as they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Uruguay, Savinho returned from North America with a memory that will last a lifetime.
He scored his first international goal in the 4-1 win over Paraguay in the group stage. His beaming smile during the celebrations is enough to say how much it meant to him.
Now under Guardiola’s guidance at club level, his international pedigree is likely to soar over the next decade.