It's been really notable how quiet City are compared to some other teams we've played due to the no fans thing. Schmeichel was barking orders like a mad man for Leicester. City really don't seem to have any naturals at doing that at all at the moment. Dias is quite clearly that kind of person. We need it. Walker is vocal, but not a natural leader. Garcia and Ake don't strike me as Vinny's, more of a calm approach to the game. Same for Ferna and Rodri tbh. They're not aggressive gobshites, and you do need a bit of that. There is basically no one like that at the moment in our team.
Dias genuinely actually is. Perhaps it's a bigger need than we realise? Bernardo's form didn't notably drop for Portugal according to reports (someone correct me on that if you want) and I wonder if there's a correlation? I can't stand Ronaldo, but he's an absolute born winner. Dias has a big mentality too. I wonder if being around these kind of players gets Bernardo going? Playing alongside Kompany in the title run in and the big Liverpool game defo got him motivated, put it that way. He clearly has a bit of an edge, but I reckon it needs to be brought out by others around him. Can Dias bring a bit of that to us? We've lost that since Vinnie, and don't laugh, even Delph to be honest.
We need someone willing to go 'we were fucking shit, buck up your ideas' in the dressing room. Not do what Rodri did the other day and go 'wah Leicester defended' and moan about it. It could even help Pep to have someone with that spark there. Pep clearly is in a bit of a personal slump. A born winner/vocal presence could motivate him too? Now I know all that seems a big ask, but don't underestimate just how much of an effect having a proper captain type can have on a team in big games and in terms of focus. IF, and it's a big *if*, this goes well it could turn out to be a hugely important signing. We've signed captain material for once, not a steady composed player. Fingers crossed hey...
