It was supposed to be another easy night at the Etihad. Manchester City cruised to a 3-1 victory over Bournemouth, Erling Haaland once again looked unstoppable, and Pep Guardiola’s men closed the gap on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table. But not everyone in a sky-blue shirt went home smiling. One player, in particular, found himself at the center of an unexpected storm — a young Brazilian winger named Savinho, whose cameo appearance became the talk of City fans for all the wrong reasons.
With just 17 minutes left on the clock, Guardiola called his number. The stadium roared when they saw the fourth official’s board go up — partly out of excitement, partly out of curiosity. Savinho, a player once described as one of Brazil’s brightest young stars, was finally stepping onto the pitch. But what followed next was a disaster that would see social media explode in fury.
Within minutes, the 21-year-old lost possession twice, failed to track back defensively, and appeared to struggle with his positioning. It wasn’t long before fans began venting online. “Once again proved right Savinho needs to go,” one frustrated supporter wrote. Another added bitterly, “There needs to be some sort of investigation into how Savinho gets into any matchday squad at City. You could put him in League Two and he still wouldn’t stand out.”
The anger only grew from there. City fans who had once been patient with the winger were now done defending him. “I’m beginning to dislike watching Savinho play for my club,” one lifelong fan wrote. “I was in full support of that new contract but the more I watch him the more I hate the idea. Looks like he literally can’t do a single thing right as a winger.”
It was brutal — and relentless. “Savinho is conning the club,” another supporter posted. “Getting paid so much but doesn’t want to work… at all.” Others compared him to failed prospects from the past, saying his attitude and body language made it seem like he didn’t even enjoy football. One fan went as far as saying, “Watching Savinho just sucked all the happiness out of me. Proper sponge that guy.
The criticism was unfiltered, and while some tried to defend him by blaming nerves or lack of minutes, most fans had already made up their minds. “Savinho is one of the most useless players I’ve ever watched play football,” another comment read. “Sell Savinho in January for £20m and cut our losses, he is awful.”
What makes the situation even more shocking is how quickly the public mood has shifted. Just months ago, Tottenham Hotspur were reportedly ready to pay big money to sign him from Manchester City, believing he could be their next big attacking star. But Guardiola decided to keep him, convinced that with the right coaching, Savinho’s potential could blossom in Manchester. Now, even Pep might be second-guessing that decision.
During his brief cameo against Bournemouth, Guardiola could be seen shouting instructions from the touchline, his voice echoing through the cold Manchester air. The camera caught him gesturing impatiently as Savinho misplaced another pass. Pep’s usual calm expression was replaced by frustration — he demanded energy, tracking, involvement. But the young winger looked lost, like a player weighed down by pressure rather than driven by it.
Fans have started asking difficult questions about his future. “What’s worse,” one tweet asked, “turning down £70m for Savinho or giving him a new contract?” It’s a painful question for City supporters, especially when they remember the talent the club has let go in the past — young stars who left for smaller clubs and flourished. For now, Savinho isn’t one of them.
His competition within the squad makes the situation even tougher. Jeremy Doku, another young winger, continues to impress with his pace, directness, and end product. Rayan Cherki, who recently returned to full fitness, stole the spotlight with two assists against Bournemouth. And then there’s Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, and Bernardo Silva — all ahead of Savinho in the pecking order.
Every training session, every minute on the pitch now feels like a test for Savinho. Guardiola’s squad is full of players who fight for their place, who understand that even the smallest lapse in effort can cost them a starting spot. City’s attacking depth means that one poor performance could push you to the sidelines for weeks — or even out of the club altogether.
There are whispers that Guardiola’s patience is wearing thin. The Catalan coach, known for his obsession with tactical detail and intensity, demands total commitment from his players. Savinho’s laid-back style may have worked in Brazil, but in England — especially at Manchester City — it’s a different world. Pep values discipline, pressing, and footballing intelligence. Any player who fails to meet those standards risks fading into obscurity.
Some insiders close to the club claim Savinho has struggled to adapt to life in Manchester. The culture, the expectations, even the weather — everything feels different. His friends and family remain mostly in Brazil, and while City have tried to support him with language tutors and mentoring, the transition hasn’t been easy. But patience is not something fans at the Etihad have in abundance.
City supporters have seen countless talented youngsters come and go. From Brahim Diaz to Jadon Sancho, the pathway to success at Manchester City is narrow and demanding. Savinho, despite his talent, now finds himself standing at a crossroads. If he can’t turn things around soon, January could bring an exit he might not recover from.
Guardiola has often said that he doesn’t just want technical players — he wants mentality monsters. “You can teach a player to pass, but not to fight,” he once remarked in a press conference. For Savinho, that quote feels painfully relevant. His body language against Bournemouth was described by some fans as “disinterested,” a look that Guardiola cannot tolerate.
There’s still a glimmer of hope. Football is full of redemption stories. Players who were once written off — like Riyad Mahrez in his early City days or Jack Grealish during his first season — eventually proved their worth. The question is whether Savinho has that inner fire to fight back.
City’s next few fixtures could determine everything. With Champions League and Premier League games coming thick and fast, Pep will need to rotate his squad. That means chances will come, whether Savinho is ready or not. Each time he steps on the pitch, he will be under a microscope. Every touch, every run, every decision will be judged.
For now, the fans have spoken loudly. They want to see hunger, urgency, and purpose — not just a player jogging through the motions. If Savinho can show even a glimpse of that passion, perhaps opinions can change. Football fans can be unforgiving, but they’re also quick to forgive when a player shows genuine effort.
The story of Savinho at Manchester City is far from over. But if things don’t improve soon, it might end much sooner than anyone expected. What was once a promising dream could turn into another tale of wasted talent in Guardiola’s empire. As one fan put it after the match, “Savinho doesn’t need another chance — he needs to wake up.” And that might be the only advice that can save his Manchester City career.
