Manchester City

The 20-year-old previously turned out for Troyes and Girona - two of the Premier League champions' sister clubs in the City Football Group - helping the latter earn a shock qualification for this season's Champions League during a loan spell.

However, Savinho did not stick around in Spain to help Michel's men on their European journey, joining Pep Guardiola's side in a £20.8m deal as one of just two summer signings alongside the returning Ilkay Gundogan.

The Brazil international has struck just two goals in 31 appearances so far, but he has set up a further eight, and Wright-Phillips gave him a glowing review when speaking to Sports Mole.

"I like everything about him, to be honest with you," the former Premier League winner said. "His decision making normally is always right. It might not work, but the choices he's choosing seem to be the right choices. His hold up play has got better from when he first came into the team.

Wright-Phillips hails Man City's Savinho as a "fantastic player"

"He can go both ways, can play either side of the pitch. I'm not sure if he can play that number 10, but we're yet to see because that might happen at some point. But for me, I think he's a fantastic player. I love his creativity."

Savinho found it difficult to make his mark in Saturday's 2-1 FA Cup win over Leyton Orient, playing the full 90 minutes against the League One side without managing a goal or assist, but he has started to come into his own in the Premier League.

The 2004-born youngster - lauded for his energetic play and mazy dribbling down either the left or right flank - has one goal and four assists to show from his last four Premier League appearances, providing a delicate cross for Erling Haaland's consolation in their 5-1 loss to Arsenal.

Savinho also provided two assists in City's 4-1 thrashing of West Ham United at the start of the year, prior to which he scored one and set up another in a 2-0 triumph over Leicester City at the end of 2024.

The ex-PSV Eindhoven starlet has already forged a fruitful relationship with talisman Haaland in the final third, but he is only averaging one goal every 15.5 games for Man City compared to one every 3.72 matches at Girona.

Savinho already partially fulfilling "massive potential"

Nevertheless, Wright-Phillips is certain that the South American will continue to improve his output in the final third, adding: "All he needs is a goal. And more of that will come from him.

"He scored an important goal the other week. And that goes to show he's growing in stature. He's becoming more and more comfortable. And I think he'll be more and more effective.

"But as everybody knows, when you come to a Pep team, it takes time because of so much information on board, let alone learning and building a chemistry between your teammates and how they want to play, where they want the ball, where they want you to be when they get the ball, and always be available. So for me, he's got massive potential. And so far, he's fulfilling some of that."

Savinho is expected to keep his place in the first XI when Man City host Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League playoff on Tuesday night, where the Brazilian will endeavour to take advantage of an injury-hit Blancos defence.

Savinho's predecessor Wright-Phillips made 274 appearances for Man City, winning the FA Cup in 2011, prior to which he became a Premier League champion with Chelsea in the 2005-06 campaign.

Shaun Wright-Phillips was speaking to Sports Mole on behalf of Heart Bingo.

Written by

Ben Knapton