EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MANCHESTER CITY NEW SIGNING THAT WOULD EXCITE YOU

Shortly after the January transfer window closed, Manchester City opted to secure Savio as their first signing for the upcoming summer transfer window. TEAMtalk has examined the player and what Manchester City can anticipate from him.

On Monday evening, it was revealed that Manchester City had already secured their initial summer acquisition, agreeing to a deal for winger Savio, also known as Savinho. City reached an agreement with affiliate club Troyes to acquire Savio, who has impressed with his performances for one of their other sister clubs, Girona.

Previously, rival teams from England and Germany had bid as much as €30 million (£25.7 million) to secure the player’s services, but it is Manchester City who will benefit from his arrival this summer.

But who is Pep Guardiola’s newest attacking talent?

WHO IS SAVIO ??

Savio, at the age of 19, is a left-footed forward predominantly positioned as a left winger. However, he possesses versatility, showcasing the ability to play as a right winger or central attacking midfielder when required.

Hailing from Sao Mateus, Brazil, Savio emerged from the Atletico Mineiro academy before relocating to Europe in July 2022. French club Troyes secured his services in a €6.5 million deal, making him part of the City Football Group, which includes clubs like Manchester City, Troyes, Girona, New York City, Melbourne City, and Palermo. Despite being a part of Troyes, Savio has yet to feature for the club, having been loaned out twice instead.

In the 2022-23 season, Savio ventured to the Netherlands to join PSV. He made a promising start to the campaign, notching two assists in his initial three Eredivisie outings. Additionally, he gained valuable Europa League experience, appearing in PSV’s group stage fixtures against Bodo/Glimt and FC Zurich.

However, by mid-October, Savio found himself lower in the pecking order at the Philips Stadium and did not feature in any more first-team matches. His progress was hampered by a hamstring injury, which sidelined him for 11 games across all competitions.

Upon his return to Troyes last summer, the City Football Group leadership was determined to ensure Savio’s next move would aid his development. Consequently, they opted for an internal solution, sending Savio to Girona in Spain. His time in Spain has been fruitful, as we will discuss shortly.

Before his move to Europe, Savio represented Brazil at the U15 and U17 levels before advancing to the U20 side in 2021.

To date, the winger has earned six caps for Brazil U20s, tallying one goal and three assists. All of his goal contributions occurred during last year’s U20 World Cup, where Brazil reached the quarter-finals before falling to Israel.

Savio will be eager to make a push for a spot in Brazil’s senior squad in the future.

How has Savio performed this season?

Savio, the 19-year-old left-footed forward, has been a standout performer since joining Girona on loan last summer. In 23 league matches, he has tallied an impressive five goals and seven assists, contributing significantly to Girona’s surprising title challenge after finishing 10th last season.

His stellar displays have propelled Girona to second place in the league table, ahead of prominent Spanish clubs like Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. With 56 points from 23 games, Girona sits just two points behind league leaders Real Madrid.

Savio’s impact has been felt against formidable opponents as well. Notably, he scored a crucial goal against Atletico Madrid with a powerful volley, helping Girona secure a memorable 4-3 victory.

According to WhoScored, Savio ranks as Girona’s third-best player in La Liga this season, boasting an average rating of 7.21. He leads the club in league assists (seven) and dribbles per game (2.7), while also ranking second in key passes per game (1.2).

In the Copa del Rey, Savio continued his impressive form, finding the back of the net against San Roque Lepe and Mallorca before Girona was eliminated in the quarter-finals.

WHY IS THE TRANSFER EXCITING FOR MAN CITY 

Savio has the potential to become a standout player for Manchester City. At just 19 years old, he is already causing headaches for La Liga defenders and has ample time to further develop his skills.

His ability to effortlessly glide past defenders has drawn comparisons to Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, underscoring the high regard in which Savio is held.

A highly intelligent forward, Savio possesses the knack for dissecting opposition defenses in various ways. Whether it’s dribbling past defenders on either flank to deliver a precise cross or cutting inside to unleash a shot on goal, Savio’s versatility adds a dynamic dimension to City’s attacking options.

Furthermore, Savio’s exceptional vision enables him to thread pinpoint passes to strikers, exploiting gaps behind the defense with remarkable accuracy. This combination of skills and footballing intelligence bodes well for his potential impact at Manchester City.

Savio combines pace and directness, making him incredibly difficult to halt once he reaches full speed. Additionally, he boasts a repertoire of skills that allow him to deceive defenders or unsettle them before swiftly changing direction.

His speed, skill, and elusiveness make him adept at drawing fouls, akin to current City attacker Jack Grealish. Consequently, Savio’s arrival could greatly benefit Kevin de Bruyne, providing him with ample opportunities to deliver set-pieces for shooting or crossing.

How will Savio fit in at City?

It will be intriguing to observe Manchester City’s approach to developing Savio and how he is eventually integrated into the first team. One possibility could be loaning him back to Girona for the 2024-25 season, allowing him to further refine his skills before returning to the Etihad in the summer of 2025 and challenging for a place in the starting lineup.

With a formidable squad featuring the likes of Grealish, Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden, Oscar Bobb, and Bernardo Silva, all capable of playing out wide, Savio will face stiff competition. However, there could still be opportunities for him to make his mark.

Manchester City offloaded Riyad Mahrez and Cole Palmer before the season commenced, with Foden predominantly utilized on the right flank since then. However, Foden has expressed his desire to eventually transition into the central attacking midfield role, potentially creating space for Savio in the team.

Furthermore, there have been murmurs suggesting that City might consider parting ways with Grealish, as Guardiola appears to favor using Doku when both players are available. If Grealish were to depart, it could open up an opportunity for Savio to compete with Doku for a starting role on the left flank.

Establishing oneself as a regular starter for Manchester City is undoubtedly challenging, given the vast resources at Guardiola’s disposal. Nonetheless, Savio possesses the potential to emerge as a top-class performer in both the Premier League and European competitions. With his blend of skill, speed, and tactical awareness, Savio has the qualities needed to thrive at the highest level and make a significant impact for City in the future. It will be exciting to see how his career unfolds and how he contributes to Manchester City’s continued success on both domestic and continental fronts.