Who is Savio? The Brazilian teen spearheading Girona's suprise title charge

Much has been made already about Girona’s extraordinary season in LaLiga, their 4-2 win over Barcelona last weekend very much placing them in the public conscious across Europe. But what of the individuals behind their story? None is perhaps more remarkable than Savio. 

The 19-year-old has been one of their strongest assets in attack, providing nine goal contributions in 18 matches. He is on loan from Ligue 2 side Troyes, but he will join the champions elect in the summer of 2024 for a sum of €20m.  

Born in Sao Mateus in 2004, Savio spent his youth growing up on a cow farm. His journey commenced in the youth academy of Atletico Mineiro, where he made his debut in the first team under the guidance of coach Jorge Sampaoli. 

Troyes, affiliated with the City Group along with Girona, secured his signature. He spent a season on loan at PSV Eindhoven, but it was last summer that marked a pivotal moment when he moved to Spain.  

Savio has soared this campaign, establishing himself as a standout figure in the Spanish league and becoming one of the most in-form players this campaign. 

Girona head coach Michel's decision to deploy the teenager on the left flank rather on the opposite side where he had been positioned normally, proved to be a masterstroke.  

Savio’s Transfer Value (xTV) - how much is he worth?  

According to FootballTransfer’s player valuation model, Savio has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €11.2m.  We also have the youngster as seventh in Best Future Brazilian Players and eighth in Best Future Players playing in La Liga. His form - and the fact he is at a club that is among the City Group umbrella - means that he will likely move on from Girona at some point in the next two seasons if his stunning form continues. 

It is unclear whether Girona will look to sell this upcoming summer window, but the likely prospect of them achieving a Champions League spot this term ahead of the following campaign will no doubt help their cause of keeping hold of Savio.
There is no question he’s headed for the top.  

In an interview with Marca, Junior Chavare, the scout credited with discovering the gem in Brazil, spoke up about his potential, saying to the publication: "We knew that Savinho was a hidden gem. He became a starter in his youth teams and consistently stood out. He possesses a professional demeanor, an excellent mindset, and all the qualities necessary to thrive internationally, play for the world's most prominent clubs, and become a star." 

Savio’s strengths and weaknesses - what does the data say?  

Savio demonstrates exceptional versatility, having been deployed in four different positions this season - it’s a testament to his industrious nature as a player. Michel has deployed him as a left-winger, in the right centre of midfield, and on the left centre of midfield. However, Savio truly excels in the No.10 role. 

When positioned just behind the strikers, Savio boasts a WhoScored ranking of 7.50. From here so far this season, Savio boats an impressive 0.75 goal contributions per game. Notably, his proficiency in dribbling and key pass creation stands out, too, with an average of 1.4 key passes per 90 minutes. 

Indeed, Savio's contributions extend beyond playmaking, as he is adept at providing assists and scoring goals himself. His relentless work rate has served as a fundamental component of Girona's success this season. What sets Savio apart is his exceptional positional awareness; he consistently finds himself in the right place at the right time when his teammates are in possession, generating an npxG + xAG of 0.43. 

Statistically, Savio shines in shot-creating actions, culminating at 3.44 per 90 minutes. His quick feet and exceptional dribbling ability contribute to his success in one-on-one situations, placing his successful take-ons in the top 99th percentile. In essence, Savio's skillset has made him a key asset to Girona's unprecedented rise this term. Troyes, his parent club, will no doubt be asking themselves why they didn’t ask for more more when negotiations were underway last summer.

This article was provided by FootballTransfers