Manchester City forward outlines 2025-26 ambitions after difficult debut season | OneFootball

Manchester City winger Savinho has provided some insight into Pep Guardiola’s message to his players after a disappointing and trophyless 2024-25 campaign.

The 21-year-old was supposed to be the only new addition to Guardiola’s squad last summer before Ilkay Gundogan sealed a stunning return to the Etihad Stadium after a brief spell at Barcelona, whom the German joined in 2023 after captaining City to a historic treble.

Savinho made a fast start to life in England and provided a breath of fresh air to a squad that has lacked the directness that were the fulcrum of the 2017-18 and 2018-19 Premier League winning squads, with the likes of Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane on the wings.

However, it was a difficult season for Guardiola and co as Manchester City finished trophyless for only the second season in 10 years under the Catalan’s stewardship, fuelling a fire in the bellies of the board to act accordingly in the summer transfer market.

City are currently competing in the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States as they look to get their mojo back and give the dressing room a much-needed lift before they set out to challenge for all trophies in the 2025-26 season.

“This is very much the new season for us. Last season is over, we can’t change anything about that now. We’re completely focused on this one,” said Savinho in the buildup to Manchester City’s second group-stage win over Al Ain late on Sunday evening, as quoted by Mirror Sport.

Manchester City lost nine times and drew eight games in the recent Premier League campaign, only finishing third and recording 71 points – their lowest tally since Manuel Pellegrini’s final year in charge.

It went from bad to worse for City, who also lost the FA Cup final to Crystal Palace. “We’ve got to learn from the mistakes we made last season and also forget about it a bit,” Savinho added.

After spending £181.5 million on Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis, Omar Marmoush and Nico Gonzalez in January, Manchester City have picked up where they left off at the beginning of the year by laying down an early marker in the current transfer window.

Hugo Viana has replaced Txiki Begiristain as director of football and spearheaded the club’s acquisitions of Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders, Marcus Bettinelli and Rayan Cherki for a combined figure of around £110 million.

“I’m really happy that we were able to bring in four such quality reinforcements,” Savinho added.

“They’re training really well and integrating into a group that is really settled so that is good to see. I’m looking forward to getting onto the pitch with them.

“I certainly learnt a lot and I felt like I evolved a lot as the season went on. That’s thanks to Pep (Guardiola), my team mates and the coaches as well.

“But I’m looking to improve even more this season. To get more goals, more assists and be able to help the team.

“I’m so happy here. We put in some marvellous work and marvellous preparation. I’m really happy to be here and my team mates, the coaches are really excited about the tournament.”