Did the second half of Manchester City’s win over Everton reveal Savinho’s best position? | OneFootball

After a tough first half, there were many positives to take from Manchester City’s win over Everton yesterday. The performances of Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, Nico O’Reilly, and Nico stood out in City’s 2-nil win. Another positive was how Savinho performed in the final half-hour of the game. The Brazilian international switched to the left wing at a pivotal moment in yesterday’s match. Coming out of the game, you did get the sense that playing on the left is Savinho’s best position rather than playing on the right wing.

Savinho helped secure Manchester City’s win over Everton yesterday.

After Erling Haaland gave Manchester City a 1-nil lead in the 58th minute, Pep Guardiola made two substitutions. Oscar Bobb and Bernardo Silva replaced Jeremy Doku and Tijjani Reijnders. The substitution of Jeremy Doku allowed Savinho to switch to the left wing. Savinho had a frustrating afternoon playing on the right wing. He squandered one good chance and saw another saved by Jordan Pickford in the first half. He couldn’t quite influence the game as he would’ve liked on the right. But it was a different story once Savinho went out to the left wing.

Savinho set up Erling Haaland’s second goal of the afternoon with a precise ball in the 63rd minute. He got at the Everton defence more often and looked more comfortable on the left rather than the right wing. At times, Savinho can dazzle on the right wing, but his end product lets him down. It does seem that the burden of scoring goals, cutting inside from the right, weighs Savinho down. On the left wing, he is free to create for others, and that seems to suit his game better.

Competition for places on the left wing are fierce in the Manchester City squad.

There is fierce competition for places on either wing amongst the Manchester City squad. Jeremy Doku and Omar Marmoush seem to be the first choices to play on the left. Savinho can also throw his hat in that particular ring. On the right wing, Oscar Bobb, Rayan Cherki, Bernardo Silva and Savinho look to be fighting it out to start there. If Savinho’s best position is on the left, his performance over the final 30 minutes of yesterday’s match has to be the standard he reaches consistently. If he can do that, he could become the player Pep Guardiola turns to on the left. That is the challenge for the Brazilian international to nail down a starting role in Pep Guardiola’s side. Perhaps playing on the left is his best opportunity to do so.

Savinho was infinitely more dangerous playing on the left wing rather than the right yesterday against Everton. By the time he was taken off late in yesterday’s match you did get the sense that perhaps playing on the left is the best role for the Brazilian winger. It is food for thought if nothing else and where Savinho lines up in his next start will be worth watching out for.