Allan made his Manchester City debut on Thursday, starting in the 5-0 Carabao Cup third-round win over Norwich City. The 22-year-old winger, a £32million signing from Palmeiras on 31 August, had been an unused substitute against both Porto and Manchester United before Enzo Maresca handed him a chance to showcase his abilities.
He took it. Allan scored City's third goal against the Championship outfit and added an assist, a tidy return for a first outing in sky blue. The numbers, as relayed by Fotmob on 18 September, back up the eye test: 80 per cent pass completion, one chance created, one big chance created, a 0.52 xA, one shot on target, 0.07 xG, two of four dribbles completed, and all three attempted long balls found their mark.
Norwich, for their part, are a side who could be in the Premier League next season. That context matters when weighing up a debut like this. A Championship outfit at home in the cup is not the sternest test Allan will face, but the manner of his performance — direct, efficient, involved — was exactly what you want from a new arrival.
The obvious question now is whether Allan has done enough to earn another start. City host Sunderland on the weekend in the Premier League, a fixture in which they will be heavy favourites. It remains to be seen who Maresca elects to start against the Black Cats, but Allan has given him something to think about.
For a player who had waited his turn, that is all you can ask. The step up from Palmeiras to the Premier League is rarely straightforward, and one eye-catching cup display does not make a season. But on this evidence, City may have uncovered a gem.