Brief Overview
City have signed the Brazilian on a five-year deal until the summer of 2029 as they look to trudge on towards their fifth-straight Premier League title. The defending champions will part with up to £35 million ($45m). City will pay an initial fee of £21m ($27.5m), with the deal potentially containing £13m ($16m) in add-ons.
A brazillian winger that we signed from Troyes after a brilliant loan spell at Girona. He obviously brings much needed flair to our forward line. The main benefit about Savio is that he is adept at playing on both the right wing and left wing when necessary. As a result, it strengthens our options in wide areas significantly and ultimately should result in City scoring more goals than they did last season.
What Savio Brings
Savio was an astute dribbler at Girona that was able to turn his flair into consistent output. Alongside Dovbyk, he was able to get Girona qualified for their first ever season in the Champions League. The noticeable factor in terms of Savio’s dribbling ability is that he was able to complete 102 takeons which only puts him behind Kudus of West Ham (another accredited dribbler who would be ready for European Football). Obviously, he was able to turn these technical abilities into output with 9 goals and 10 assists in league play but that isn’t the purest reflection of the player that we have signed.
A thing he could work on however is his overall passing ability. While his crossing ability is undoubtedly good, his overall passing ability could hamper Man City’s stranglehold of possession and cause more counter attacks against City.
How we could lineup with Savio?
This is the most likeliest due to the fact Bernardo will most likely be used in central areas this season and it also keeps kdb and foden closer together as well as being on the pitch at the same time. The defensive combination should remain as shown but Pep has shown that he is willing to change his system on a season-by-season basis or even during mid season.
This is another team that Pep could potentially field during the season but the main issue is that KDB will no longer be in the XI. This could be a blessing in disguise for player and manager since it allows City to maximise KDB’s quality and not burn him out much like Real Madrid did with Modric in the previous season.
This is another team without KDB and it also no longer features Kovacic. The ramifications of this team is that City would be slightly going against their principals of complete control much like the victorious Spanish team at the Euros had done. However, this could maximise the output of our wide players and Haaland / Alvarez when they lead the line for City. While control is lost outwide, Bernardo and Foden are more than good enough to keep control of the ball in the middle.
Also, do not rule out any of these teams with Grealish playing on the left or even in the middle. Do not rule out Stones getting back into the starting XI as well.
What I Predict Savio will do?
I am certain that Savio will have a good season. His performances at Girona showed he is ready for the step up to Manchester City and Champions League Football. There will obviously be 38 league games intertwined with at least 6 Fa Cup Fixtures, the Community Shield, 8 Champion League Matches, a Carabao Cup Match and the expanded Club World Cup (3 games). Obviously, City are expected to go deep in each of these competitions so it could end up being a season of up to 71 games which could mean Savio could feature between 40 to 50 times.
I am certain that Savio will have a good season. His performances at Girona showed he is ready for the step up to Manchester City and Champions League Football. Ultimately, I predict he will get somewhere between 15 - 22 for his first season if he avoids injuries and gets the right amount of game time. I also predict he will give us multiple memorable moments this season whether it is dribbles, solo goals or technical excellence.
Etihad, be prepared for some Samba flair!