Savinho at risk of Man City exit as form collapses under Guardiola

Pep Guardiola has never hesitated to move on from players who no longer fit his vision at Manchester City — and Savinho is starting to look like the next high-profile attacker drifting dangerously into that category.

City’s manager has a long history of decisive exits: Joe Hart was frozen out days after Guardiola arrived, Raheem Sterling was allowed to join Chelsea after years of service, and Jack Grealish, once a £100m British-record signing, was phased out last season before joining Everton on loan this summer.

Now, as Grealish rebuilds his career under David Moyes, attention is turning to another winger who has slipped down the hierarchy.

Grealish was never a total failure — he played a key role in City’s treble and Champions League win — but his decline was swift. After Boxing Day last season, he featured just seven more times in the league. Being benched for the FA Cup semi-final in favour of teenager Claudio Echeverri was the clearest sign his time was up.

He left for Everton, where he is thriving again with five goals and assists in 13 matches.

His story is becoming a cautionary tale. And Savinho’s trajectory this season looks worryingly similar.

The Brazilian entered the new campaign off the back of a bright first season, contributing 14 goals and assists in all competitions. But this year, Guardiola’s patience has been tested.

With Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden performing at elite levels and locking down starting positions, Savinho has been reduced to a rotation role — and even then, his performances have struggled to justify inclusion.

In 14 appearances, he has produced:

Sports writer Amos Murphy summed up the mood bluntly, calling the winger “awful” this season and branding his showing in the 2–1 loss at Newcastle “unacceptable.”

City’s attack is functioning without him. The team is performing well, and Guardiola rarely disrupts a winning formula. Savinho’s reduced influence is particularly problematic because unlike Grealish, he does not yet have years of elite output in the bank.

If this trajectory continues, the Brazilian’s minutes will keep shrinking — and Guardiola has shown repeatedly that he will move players on rather than wait indefinitely.

In our assessment, Savinho is not just battling for minutes — he’s fighting to stay relevant in the most competitive attacking unit in Europe.

Although some believe his form will naturally recover, other indications point differently: Guardiola gives second chances, but rarely third ones. This seems optimistic for a player with declining metrics, but his underlying talent is clear — pace, 1v1 skill, and verticality that City lack when Doku is absent.

From experience covering City, when Guardiola decides a winger isn't progressing, the exit comes quickly. Grealish, Mahrez, Torres and Sané all departed once their roles shrank.

Savinho’s next few months may define whether he becomes a cornerstone — or the next player quietly sold for profit.

City face a packed winter schedule in three competitions. Savinho will get chances — but fewer than last season. Unless he delivers quickly, the club may reassess his long-term role in 2026.

👉 Man City fans — is Savinho having a blip, or is it time to cash in while his value remains high?