SAVINHO has had to put his lifelong love of horse-riding on hold in a bid to become one of Manchester City’s mane men.
And the Brazilian winger is ready to saddle up and help his team edge ahead in their race to the finishing post with Arsenal on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola’s men could do that – for a couple of hours at least – if they can get over the hurdle provided by West Ham at the Etihad.
With Jeremy Doku out injured for most of the Christmas programme, Savinho will come in from the cold and try to supply the goals for Erling Haaland.
So for the time being, the 21-year-old former Girona winger will be staying off the horses.
He said: “I don’t ride as much nowadays in case something happens but, in the past, I’d go out a lot. It’s something I’ve always enjoyed back home. I loved it.
Back of the net
Meet Cole Palmer’s jet-setting ‘new girlfriend’, who cheers on Chelsea star
NORWAY ICON GONE
Ex-Man City and Norwich star dies after short fight with brain cancer
“Here, I’ve just been focused on football and settling in. But horses have always been a big part of my life from growing up.”
He has a long-term ambition to try bull-riding at some point, but said: “I’ve never tried it – it’s very dangerous!
“If I wasn’t a footballer, then I would do it. I knew all about it having grown up on a farm.”
For a man who loves horses so much, a move to Tottenham – who made a £43million offer for him in the summer – might have been fitting.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
But instead he signed a new long-term contract with City and he is determined to show the club’s faith In him was not mis-placed over the coming weeks and months.
The former Girona man said: “Signing a long-term deal shows the trust the club has in me and I’m so grateful for that.
“I want to repay that by working hard every day and trying to improve in all areas of my game.
“My focus is to stay consistent and do whatever I can to help the team win trophies over the coming years.”
Savinho has not had an easy campaign but over the last week he has started to show why Guardiola has such faith in him.
On Sunday he won the penalty that was converted by Haaland for City’s third goal in the win at Crystal Palace.
Three days later, his deflected effort sealed his team’s win over Brentford and a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
Filling the gap left by Doku is not easy given his recent form – but so far Savinho has done it well.
Filling in for Doku
He said: “Jeremy has been incredible this season and we will miss him in the team for a short period.
“We’re looking forward to having him back quickly because he is on top form. I just need to keep working hard to help the team at a time where we have important games ahead of us.”
The target for any wide man at City is to provide the ammunition for Haaland – knowing the Norwegian will do the rest.
Savinho added: “As a winger, you know if you put the ball in the right areas, he’s always going to be there.
“His movement in the box and finishing are amazing and he’s so important to the team. Hopefully I can continue to create chances and support him.”
Savinho and his team-mates took time out of their busy schedule this week to visit patients at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House as part of City in the Community’s ‘Christmas, Together’ campaign.
The £30m winger said: “It was a privilege to visit the hospital and spend time with the children and staff. They do incredible work and we are proud to support them.
“It’s a very special day to be able to put smiles on the faces of those who are going through a difficult time is really important to us.
“The work City in the Community does – in supporting those who need it – is so important.”
Man City’s brilliant ‘Christmas, Together’ initiative
MANCHESTER CITY’S Christmas campaign, ‘Christmas, Together’, included gift giving, community events and fundraising to support young people in Manchester.
The Club has been donating £5 for every sale from a range of selected Christmas retail items to its charity, City in the Community, and matching additional donations from fans and staff.Funds raised will support City in the Community’s programme at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
Players from Manchester City’s men’s and women’s first teams visited the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House, gifting 1,366 items to patients.