Manchester City are back in Premier League action this weekend to kick off their 2024/25 season.
Following last weekend’s Community Shield victory over Manchester United at Wembley Stadium, City will be back in London on Sunday to take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge for their first league game of the new campaign.
While Pep Guardiola won’t have a full-strength squad to pick from this weekend for different reasons, we have identified one player in City’s ranks who should be in the starting XI for this big game.
- Who is Savinho? The ‘special’ starlet who tore up La Liga and is Man City’s first transfer of the summer
Pep Guardiola must start Savinho against Chelsea
After arriving at the Manchester club on a five-year deal from Troyes back in July, Savinho made his first appearance for his new side in last weekend’s Community Shield showdown against the Red Devils.
Starting on the substitutes bench, the Brazilian came on in the 63rd minute to replace Jeremy Doku.
During his time on the pitch, Savinho had 25 touches of the ball, delivering two crosses, one key pass and completing three of the four dribbles he attempted.
In addition to scoring his penalty in the shootout after the 90 minutes ended with a 1-1 draw, the 20-year-old earned himself an overall match rating of 7.2/10 from SofaScore, making him the second-highest-rated City player on the day behind Mateo Kovacic.
Savinho could shine against Chelsea
Described by Guardiola as being “devastating” in one-on-one situations, the winger could show a glimpse of the attacking talent he displayed on loan at Girona last season at Stamford Bridge this weekend.
Specifically, he ended the previous La Liga campaign with more progressive carries (181) and goal-creating actions (25) than any other player in the division.
Also, with Oscar Bobb recently picking up an injury that will keep him sidelined for the next few months, this could pave the way for Savinho to make his mark on this team, starting this weekend against Chelsea.
