After a slightly difficult summer transfer window, Thomas Frank’s Tottenham Hotspur side have started Premier League season well.
Spurs have picked up 10 points from their opening five Premier League games, and currently sit in third place in the league. However, injuries are already taking their toll on the squad, with four attackers missing their Carabao Cup tie against Doncaster Rovers.
This may have been an area that Frank and co. were looking to strengthen during January. But a deal for one of their summer targets looks to be off the table as he is poised to sign a new contract at his current club.
Savinho Set To Sign New Contract At Manchester City
Brazilian winger Savinho, whom Spurs bid for twice during the summer, is set to sign a new contract with Manchester City, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Romano says that talks are at an “advanced” stage, and that the winger will commit his long-term future to the Cityzens.
This likely means that Spurs will not have any opportunity to reignite their interest in the youngster. However, this is not guaranteed, as contracts have very little bearing on transfers in modern football. Man City fans will be all too aware of this, as Fabian Delph joined the club just days after signing a new contract with Aston Villa in the summer of 2015.
Losing out on Savinho may not be a major blow for Spurs. They were able to sign Randal Kolo Muani in the latter stages of the transfer window. Although the Frenchman is a doubt for Saturday’s game against Wolverhampton Wanderers, he is not expected to be out long-term.
Additionally, Mohammed Kudus has made an excellent start to life at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Ghanaian has produced three assists in his first five league games, and he occupies the right-wing position that Savinho prefers to play in.
What Next For Savinho At The Etihad Stadium?
After his move to Spurs failed to transpire, Savinho now needs to reintegrate himself into the fold at Man City. This could prove to be a tough task at first.
Following disappointing losses against Spurs and Brighton and Hove Albion, Pep Guardiola picked the same team for three games in a row.
The reason it may be hard to break into this XI is that its tactical intricacies revolve around the right wing. Out of possession, Bernardo Silva occupies a central midfield role. This allows him to use his work rate and tenacity to provide defensive solidity in the midfield.
But, Phil Foden takes this position when City have the ball, as Silva drifts out to the right flank. This allows the Englishman to use his technical ability and operate in the pockets between midfield and defence.
This tweak has been extremely fruitful thus far, with Foden looking back to his best over the past few weeks.
Savinho would have to come into the team for Silva. Though he does not have the defensive nous to perform the Portuguese’s role.
The Brazilian would also struggle to get into the team on the left flank as Jérémy Doku has been one of City’s standout performers in recent weeks. Doku looks to have found the end product which both he and Savinho previously lacked. This may give him an edge in the eyes of Guardiola.
Therefore, the 21-year-old simply needs to listen to the advice of his manager and take his chance in the starting XI when it comes.