At first glance, Tottenham’s sizable investment in Savinho seems puzzling given his output at Manchester City.
The Brazilian, who extended his City contract to 2031 last October, has played 84 times, scoring seven goals and supplying 13 assists.
Across two Premier League seasons, he has found the net just twice.
Those raw numbers, however, don’t tell the full story of a player City signed from sister club Troyes for £30.8m in 2024.
His reputation was forged during a breakout 2023-24 loan at Girona, where he emerged as one of La Liga’s most dangerous dribblers.
He appeared in 37 league games as Girona qualified for the Champions League for the first time, producing nine goals and eight assists from multiple attacking roles.
He led La Liga in:
- Successful take-ons (104)
- Progressive carries (181)
- Goal-creating actions (25)
- Expected assists (9.9)
He also ranked second for passes into the box and for total progressive carrying distance.
His most effective work came from the left flank. Used there in 27 matches, he delivered five goals and six assists, while also featuring centrally and on the right.
That blend of versatility and directness aligns with De Zerbi’s approach, which invites pressure to open space and create one-on-one scenarios for wingers.
Savinho’s burst and eagerness to attack defenders are ideal for those moments: from the left he can stretch the pitch and beat his man outside; from the right he can drive infield onto his stronger left foot to link play.
His value extends beyond goals.
At Girona, his long carrying runs destabilized defenses, offering a more direct route through compact blocks and carving chances for central strikers.
That side of his game was harder to showcase at City amid fierce competition for attacking spots and others, such as Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki, being preferred in central areas.
Tottenham are therefore backing the traits he displayed so clearly at Girona: pace, ball progression, one-v-one threat and chance creation from wide. At 22, those qualities help justify a major fee despite his modest scoring record in Manchester.