Manchester City winger Allan delivered an encouraging display in Tuesday night's Champions League victory over AEK Athens, making his second start for the club and showing glimpses of the talent that prompted City to spend £34million on the Brazilian.
One moment in the match encapsulated his performance: Allan set off down the left-hand side with nowhere to go, facing a wall of AEK Athens defenders. He surged forward with speed, hurdling one challenge and evading two more before running out of pitch.
Impressive Debut and Early Signs
His full debut came last month in the Carabao Cup win over Norwich City, where he registered a goal and an assist, despite a raw performance and struggles against his full-back. In midweek, the 22-year-old went close with a first-half effort and kept asking questions of his full-back, even if he did give the ball away in the build-up to AEK Athens scoring.
While he is far from the finished article, given his age and having only arrived in the summer, the winger has displayed a directness and work rate that have endeared him to supporters in his opening appearances.
Replacing Savinho
Allan has essentially replaced his countryman Savinho, who was sold to Tottenham this summer after two seasons at the Etihad where he flattered to deceive. It is early days for Allan, but he is showing the determination and desire that the now Spurs man was accused of lacking.
Speaking after the midweek victory, Allan referenced the difficulties of adapting to life in Manchester in his first move away from boyhood club Palmeiras, mentioning the language barrier and the weather. In training, he has settled well, and City will not rush his progress.
Club's Long-Term Plans
The recruitment team identified the wideman as the perfect fit for what they were looking for this summer, with scouts having tracked his progress over the past two years. There is a belief internally that he will grow into an important member of the squad.
"We were looking for a different type of winger and we knew that Alan could be that player," said Sporting Director Hugo Viana earlier this season. "He is young and needs to adapt and we will give him time to do that. He needs more time because to go from Brazil to the Premier League is a big step."
His initial steps have been positive, but the hope is that the journey is just beginning.
