Riyad Mahrez has joked that Man City newcomer Savinho is exactly like him after watching the Brazilian winger’s highlights reel against Chelsea.
Savinho, 20, joined City in a £21million deal from Ligue 2 side Troyes in July and also took Mahrez’s old number, 26.
He made his Premier League debut during City’s 2-0 victory against Chelsea on Sunday, showcasing his lightning speed and excellent technical ability.
Disappointingly, his first match in the English top flight would only last 45 minutes. A knock to the knee would bring Savinho’s debut to a close early, but many fans and Mahrez, have been reacting to a video of his highlights on X (formerly Twitter) which shows the right winger skinning Marc Cucurella on multiple occasions with some exceptional footwork.
On seeing the clip, which was posted on Man City’s official X account, Mahrez couldn’t believe his eyes and took to the social media platform to write ‘Wait a minute’ adding an ‘inspecting emoji’ and a ‘laughing emoji’.
Savinho shone on his Manchester City debut after being included in the team from the start
But Riyad Mahrez joked that he could not believe how much Savinho was like him in his playing style
While Savinho not only wears the Algerian’s old number, he bears many resemblances to the former City winger in the way he transitions the ball forward.
Mahrez also posted the now iconic ‘double identity’ Spiderman meme in response to the video. The meme shows several characters dressed as the superhero standing in a circle pointing at each other.
Savinho had been expected to be eased into action, but an injury to Oscar Bobb forced Pep Guardiola to draft the youngster in sooner.
Mahrez, 33, left City in July 2023, and moved to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli for a fee of £30m.
He revealed after his departure that he had two years left on his City contract but had opted to leave for pastures new.
‘It was really me who decided to leave. I felt that this opportunity (to join Al-Ahli) would not come again,’ he told L’Equippe.
‘Maybe it was time to leave because I had spent five years at City and won everything.’
Mahrez posted the now iconic Spiderman meme, upon seeing the video of Savinho playing
Savinho’s Premier League debut came to an early end after he sustained a knee injury
Mahrez, 33, left City in July 2023, and moved to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli for a fee of £30m
Some fans posted videos of Mahrez’s City highlights on X, with one writing: ‘I know you know Gundo is coming back sooo…’, speculating on the news revealed on Monday by Mail Sport that Ilkay Gundogan could return to Man City from Barcelona.
Other rival fans stated that they ‘felt sick’ with City having found themselves a replacement for the Algerian.
One wrote: ‘Savinho man. They got themselves a Mahrez regen. I feel sick.’