Riyad Mahrez put in a hilarious three-word reaction on social media after watching footage from Savinho's Premier League debut against Chelsea.

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• Savinho shone brightly against Chelsea
• Mahrez is excited to see the youngster
• The youngster also has No.26 on his back

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The young Brazilian, who recently joined City from Troyes for £21 million ($27m), donned Mahrez's old number, 26, and showcased a playing style eerily reminiscent of the Algerian winger against the Blues on his English top-flight debut. Despite only playing the first half due to a knee injury, Savinho’s brief stint on the field was enough to get fans talking. His lightning pace and dazzling footwork were on full display as he repeatedly outmanoeuvred Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella, leaving spectators, and apparently Mahrez himself, in awe.

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  WHAT MAHREZ SAID

  Mahrez, now playing for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli after leaving City last summer, couldn’t help but react when he saw the clip of Savinho’s performance. The video, posted on Manchester City’s official X account (formerly Twitter), showed Savinho in action, and Mahrez’s response was both playful and telling. He wrote, "Wait a minute," accompanied by an inspecting emoji and a laughing emoji, indicating his surprise at the striking resemblance between Savinho’s style and his own.

  To add to the fun, Mahrez also shared the well-known ‘double identity’ Spiderman meme, where multiple versions of the superhero are seen pointing at each other. The meme has become synonymous with situations where two or more people are so similar that they’re practically indistinguishable.

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Mahrez has left a lasting legacy at City after spending five successful years at the club since he joined from Leicester City in 2018. During his stint, he made 236 appearances, scored 78 goals, and provided 56 assists. His contributions were instrumental in helping the club secure numerous titles, including four Premier League trophies, two FA Cups, three League Cups, and the coveted UEFA Champions League title. In July 2023, Mahrez decided to embark on a new challenge, moving to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli for a transfer fee of £30 million.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  As Savinho begins his journey with Manchester City, the early signs are promising. Though his debut was cut short by an unfortunate knee injury, the buzz surrounding his performance and the comparisons to Mahrez indicate that he could become a key player for Pep Guardiola’s side. For now, City fans will be hoping for a quick recovery for Savinho so that he can continue to develop and make his mark in England and Europe.