Tottenham pushed hard to sign Manchester City winger Savinho over the summer.
Spurs were keen to sign a left winger as they sought to secure a high-profile replacement for Son Heung-Min. Their search took them to Manchester, and specifically the Brazilian wing-wizard. However, their efforts were in vain.
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City retained Savinho’s services, in part due to a failure to land another attacker. What’s more, the former Girona man penned a new deal at the Etihad Stadium in October. “I am incredibly proud to be able to sign this new contract with City,” Savinho said at the time. One has to wonder whether he regrets the decision to extend his stay with the Cityzens.
The Premier League season is now 14 games old for most. Of those 14, Savinho has started four, and been involved in a further six. The youngster’s last league start came in a 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa in October. That Fulham scored twice in the 26 minutes he was on the pitch in midweek won’t have been lost on Pep Guardiola. The City boss strode onto the pitch to single out Savinho for a post-match chat in west London after a sub-par cameo.
Savinho dropping down the City pecking order
It’s a disappointing downturn in fortunes for Savinho, who had been expected to push on following a solid debut Premier League season. And yet, he’s been restricted to a bit-part role under Guardiola, if that. Indeed, the City boss opted for Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden on the left and right, respectively, in the 5-4 win at Fulham on Wednesday.
The Spaniard also boasts ample wide options with Bernardo Silva and Oscar Bobb seemingly preferred on the right. Omar Marmoush, who jets off for AFCON later this month, is a handy deputy for Doku on the left. Even then, City are reportedly in the race for Antoine Semenyo in January. The Ghanaian, though, is a wanted man as the year draws to a close.
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That leaves Savinho is a predicament with the transfer window edging closer to opening. That’s not to say Savinho is a poor player by any stretch. However, it’s tough to see how he works his way back into the City starting XI anytime soon. This could prove crucial in any future decision by the player.
City wideman in desperate need of minutes
Savinho will be aware that he needs regular game time at the turn of the year. The World Cup is fast approaching and competition for a wide spot in the Selecao setup is rife. Without action, it leaves Savinho’s City career at a bit of a crossroads. Yet, he hasn’t necessarily underperformed when called upon.
Some supporters may be happy to see the back of Savinho in the New Year, yet he’s still proving a tough player to contain when netted. Having featured in all five of City’s Champions League games this season, Guardiola still has some trust in the Brazil international. And Savinho, to his credit, is doing his best to repay the faith.
Of those to have registered at least 300 minutes of action, only two – Lamine Yamal and teammate Doku – are completing more take ons per 90 than Savinho (3.8). 2.1 chances created per 90 is also a solid haul for the winger, even if he does have just one European assist to his name.
Conversely, Savinho did play the full 90 of the recent Champions League home loss to Bayer Leverkusen. A much-changed City side fell to a 2-0 home defeat to the German side, which won’t have appeased Guardiola. With automatic progression to the knockout stages still at stake, Guardiola is unlikely to name a fringe XI again anytime soon.
January exit possible?
This hardly bodes well for those pushing for game time, a group that includes Savinho. It’s clear that there is a talented footballer there, but one that needs minutes to realise their potential. Unfortunately, regular action doesn’t appear to be forthcoming for Savinho at City.
As a result, a lack of game time is starting to impact consistency. And despite penning a new deal two months’ ago, Savinho may be wise to use the January window as a chance to seek a move to pastures new.
City are evidently looking to strengthen out wide, evident by links with a move for Semenyo. As such, a change of scenery may be what Savinho needs to rebuild his confidence. With the form of Doku and Foden, he’s unlikely to get a chance to build up momentum. It leaves both player and club with a tough decision on their hands.