Manchester City are blessed with an array of talent. With devastating attackers already at Pep Guardiola’s disposal, the Spaniard has only strengthened the Premier League champions’ front line by bringing in Troyes’ Savinho.

Last year, City made history by winning a fourth straight Premier League title, coming from behind in the title race to topple rivals Arsenal by just two points.

Being so dominant, you’d think City wouldn’t want to tamper with their winning formula. But year after year they bring in some new faces, while letting old stars go, and seem to improve even more.

The Brazil international arrives at the Etihad for a deal worth £33million, looking to add some more attacking flair and directness to an already lethal front line.

Only 20 years old, Savinho’s rapid emergence has fans wondering what skills he will bring to Guardiola’s side, that they don’t already possess.

At Mail Sport, we take a deeper look into City’s new ball of energy on the right-hand side, 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.

Only 20 years old, the winger made the transition into the professional game just four years ago with Atletico Mineiro. Before that, his life looked very different from what it does now.

The Brazilian grew up on a farm with his grandparents in Sao Mateus, a rural area in Brazil. His childhood consisted of milking cows, planting crops, and riding horses around the grows. Doesn’t sound too bad, does it? 

Savinho loved his life on the farm, but as his football ability became apparent from a young age he had to switch fields of vegetables for the football pitch.

Atletico Mineiro were the lucky recipient of the wonderkid. At just 11 years of age he dazzled in a match against the Brazilian outfit’s Under 17s team. As soon as the scouts laid eyes on him, they snapped him up.

His meteoric rise in the Brazilian game led him to become the youngest player to ever play for Atletico at 16. He ended up playing 35 times in total for the Brazilian side, scoring two goals.

Savinho’s performances in his homeland caught the eyes of the City Football Group in 2022. He signed for French side Troyes, one of CFG’s 12 clubs, but was sent straight out on loan to PSV Eindhoven, which proved unsuccessful.

However, his next loan move was a masterstroke. Fellow CFG side Girona brought him on board for a season and he transformed their side from a mid-table side to La Liga challengers.

The electrifying winger netted 11 goals while providing 10 assists in all competitions for the Spanish side as they secured qualification for the Champions League with a third-place finish in La Liga – the highest in their history. 

What is his playing style?

The best way to describe Savinho is electrifying. He can be deployed on either wing, can move at startling speeds, and possesses a dribbling ability that many players could only dream of.

Statistics do not tell the story of the type of player the Brazilian is, you have to see him with your own eyes. Strong on the ball and a dynamic player, Savinho likes to take defenders on and bring excitement to the game.

Savinho told the Man City club website: ‘My main characteristic, which I like the most, is taking on opponents, being happy, and getting the crowd on their feet.’

If he displays the style he showcased while at Girona, then fans certainly will be on their feet. Skills and flair are a major part of the winger’s game.

Guardiola’s style of wingers have changed over the past couple of years, with the likes of Jeremy Doku coming in last year to provide a new dynamic to the side.

Savinho fits that bill too, with his unpredictability on the ball likely to mount problems on Premier League defences of various standards. 

However, the wings are not the only place you will find the Brazilian. He can also be deployed as an attacking midfielder. His explosiveness works well behind the striker as he tends to drive through gaps when they present themselves.

He will have to prove himself to get minutes in all those positions under Guardiola, but his flexibility could be a valuable asset to City with the number of matches they will inevitably partake in.  

What has been said?

Guardiola did not try and hide his joy at signing such a talent, Savinho’s arrival has the Spaniard beaming with joy.

Speaking to the press during City’s pre-season tour in the US, Guardiola said: ‘The impact he did in 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-winger, right-winger, can even play in the middle. But we need [him] more, especially on the wings. His one-against-one is devastating.

‘We cannot forget that Savinho is playing national team [football] for Brazil. We don’t have many wingers that can play on both sides. He can use two positions.

‘We say thank you to Girona, because without the job they have done with him there, especially the manager and all the players, it could not be possible to bring him here.’

Savinho’s former manager at Girona, Michel, adored him. For the Spanish manager, there weren’t many better in Spain’s top flight last season.

‘I know this is a big statement, but I hadn’t seen anyone so effective in one-on-one situations since Vinicius Jr emerged,’ Michel said.

‘He was perhaps the most surprising talent in La Liga if you consider that [Jude] Bellingham was already known by everybody.’ 

International pedigree? 

Given his age, the fact that Savinho has already notched up a total of seven caps for Brazil can only be regarded as impressive.

After impressing in La Liga, Dorival Junior handed the winger his Brazil debut against England – his first match in charge of the national team.

With the talent that Brazil possess on the wings, including the likes of Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo, it was no mean feat that Savinho got the call to don the famous gold shirt of his country.

Despite fierce competition for a spot on the wings, Dorival kept the faith in the new City man and called him up for the national team’s Copa America squad this summer.

In what was a disappointing tournament for Brazil, as they were knocked out at the quarter-final stage by Uruguay, Savinho came away from North America with a memory that will last him a lifetime.

He netted his first international goal in a 4-1 win over Paraguay in the group stage. His beaming smile during the celebrations is enough to tell you just how much it meant to him.

Now he is under the stewardship of Guardiola at club level, his international pedigree is likely to soar over the next decade.