Manchester City's Savinho has been linked with Tottenham Hotspur for a long time, and it does look like Spurs will finally get their man for Roberto De Zerbi. With the Italian expected to lead Tottenham into a new tactical era, the arrival of the Brazilian winger could prove to be one of the most intriguing transfers of the summer.
But how exactly would Savinho fit into De Zerbi's system? Let's take a closer look.
Savinho's Career So Far
Born in São Mateus, Brazil, Savinho emerged through the youth ranks at Atlético Mineiro before joining the City Football Group network in 2022. After developmental loan spells with PSV Eindhoven and Jong PSV, his breakthrough came during the 2023-24 season with Girona FC.
At Girona, Savinho became one of La Liga's most exciting attackers, recording nine goals and ten assists while helping the club secure Champions League qualification. He also led the league in successful dribbles, highlighting his ability to beat defenders consistently.
His performances earned him a move to Manchester City in 2024, where he has shown flashes of brilliance despite facing fierce competition for minutes.
What Kind of Player is Savinho?
Savinho is a modern winger who thrives in one-versus-one situations. His biggest strengths include:
- Explosive acceleration
- Elite dribbling ability
- Direct running with the ball
- Creativity in wide areas
- Ability to play on either flank
Analysts frequently highlight his ability to create separation from defenders through quick changes of pace and intelligent ball-carrying. His long stride length allows him to cover large distances quickly, making him especially dangerous in transition situations.
While naturally left-footed, Savinho is comfortable operating on both wings. He can cut inside from the right to create chances or attack the byline from the left before delivering crosses into the penalty area. His Girona campaign showcased both sides of his game, with goals, assists, and relentless dribbling making him one of Spain's most dangerous wide players.
How Roberto De Zerbi Uses Wingers
De Zerbi's tactical philosophy revolves around attracting pressure through patient build-up before exploiting the spaces left behind.
His wingers play a crucial role in this process.
At clubs like Brighton & Hove Albion and previously Sassuolo, De Zerbi often instructed his wide attackers to stay high and wide during possession phases. This stretches opposition defensive lines and creates isolated one-versus-one situations.
Unlike some possession-based systems that restrict winger freedom, De Zerbi encourages his attackers to take risks once they receive the ball in advanced areas. He wants players who can beat defenders, drive into open space, and create numerical advantages in the final third.
That description sounds remarkably similar to Savinho.
Why Savinho Could Thrive at Tottenham
The potential partnership between Savinho and De Zerbi feels almost tailor-made.
One of the Brazilian's biggest strengths is his ability to attack efficiently during open play at speed. De Zerbi's positional structure regularly creates these opportunities by drawing opponents forward before releasing wide players into space.
Savinho would likely operate as an inverted right winger in many matches, allowing him to cut inside onto his stronger left foot. However, De Zerbi's tactical flexibility would also allow him to switch flanks depending on the opponent.
Most importantly, Tottenham currently lack a winger with Savinho's blend of flair, unpredictability, and elite ball-carrying ability. His willingness to take defenders on could give Spurs a genuine game-breaker in situations where structured possession alone isn't enough.
At just 22 years old, Savinho also fits the long-term vision of building a young, dynamic squad capable of growing under De Zerbi's coaching.
If the transfer happens, Tottenham would not simply be signing a talented winger. They would be acquiring a player whose strengths align perfectly with one of the most winger-friendly tactical systems in modern football. Under Roberto De Zerbi, Savinho could finally have the platform to become one of the Premier League's most exciting attacking stars.
