3 | Ruben Dias - 2025/26

Dias is criticised because of his lack of pace. But he's never needed it, because he reads the game so well. It's not like he had pace then lost it, his whole life he's had to develop his skillset to be the best defender he can be. But when you have a midfield ahead of you that leaves you stretched it's incredibly hard to deal with it. Khusanov is more effective because he can recover with his pace, but he doesn't read the game anywhere near as well as Dias.

This season has shown how important it is to have depth in defence. If we don't win the league it's because of that patch where we had to bring Alleyne in - that's not his fault, but had Dias/Gvardiol/Stones/Ake been available we'd have picked up more points.
 
bobbyowenquiff said:
Not sure what your point is. I was at all those matches and each was different. Dias is an experienced defender and has been brilliant for us. Our new young defenders can learn from him.
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It's related to this: "If he had been on the pitch, we wouldn't have experienced that 15-minute collapse at Everton."

I'm simply pointing out facts that contradict this narrative. He was on the pitch several times, and we collapsed and were completely overwhelmed in 20 minutes, notably this season against Leeds at home and Fulham away.

I already gave my opinion on Ruben Dias a few messages above; for me, he's important and we need him with us next season. But to say he would have changed anything at Everton is just speculation. There are examples that don't support that, and I don't buy it.
 
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Sam69 said:
It's related to this: "If he had been on the pitch, we wouldn't have experienced that 15-minute collapse at Everton."

I'm simply pointing out facts that contradict this narrative. He was on the pitch several times, and we collapsed and were completely overwhelmed in 20 minutes, notably this season against Leeds at home and Fulham away.

I already gave my opinion on Ruben Dias a few messages above; for me, he's important and we need him with us next season. But to say he would have changed anything at Everton is just speculation. There are examples that don't support that, and I don't buy it.
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If anything having Gvardiol on the pitch changes some of our draws to wins
 
Sam69 said:
It's related to this: "If he had been on the pitch, we wouldn't have experienced that 15-minute collapse at Everton."

I'm simply pointing out facts that contradict this narrative. He was on the pitch several times, and we collapsed and were completely overwhelmed in 20 minutes, notably this season against Leeds at home and Fulham away.

I already gave my opinion on Ruben Dias a few messages above; for me, he's important and we need him with us next season. But to say he would have changed anything at Everton is just speculation. There are examples that don't support that, and I don't buy it.
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You are right it's simplistic to say that Dias's presence would have prevented the collapse at Everton. Nobody can be sure. That said, it's a fact he has never made a significant mistake in any run-in so far (5 before this season) and has been a leader of one of the best-ever teams.

Let's hope that his successors can do better than him. He won't be short of offers if he isn't a starter here.
 
alexmcity said:
You are right it's simplistic to say that Dias's presence would have prevented the collapse at Everton. Nobody can be sure. That said, it's a fact he has never made a significant mistake in any run-in so far (5 before this season) and has been a leader of one of the best-ever teams.

Let's hope that his successors can do better than him. He won't be short of offers if he isn't a starter here.
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My vision regarding our center-backs and our defense in general is clear: we need all four for next season: Dias, Gvardiol, Khusanov, and Guehi. We just need a right-back to provide rest and competition for Nunes.

Reis should return to start his career here, especially after his performances with Girona and the interest he might generate among the three big La Liga clubs

For me, it's a blessing to have these four players, each with their own different profiles, strengths, and weaknesses.

There are enough matches (up to 68 or 70 across all competitions) that each player will get at least 30 games, depending on their form, the opponent's style, and their attacking approach.

It's a luxury to be able to rotate the defenders without any drop in quality, and to have a fresh squad in April and May—the crucial final stretch, the moment of truth for winning the biggest trophies—is a factor not to be overlooked.
 
Sam69 said:
My vision regarding our center-backs and our defense in general is clear: we need all four for next season: Dias, Gvardiol, Khusanov, and Guehi. We just need a right-back to provide rest and competition for Nunes.

Reis should return to start his career here, especially after his performances with Girona and the interest he might generate among the three big La Liga clubs

For me, it's a blessing to have these four players, each with their own different profiles, strengths, and weaknesses.

There are enough matches (up to 68 or 70 across all competitions) that each player will get at least 30 games, depending on their form, the opponent's style, and their attacking approach.

It's a luxury to be able to rotate the defenders without any drop in quality, and to have a fresh squad in April and May—the crucial final stretch, the moment of truth for winning the biggest trophies—is a factor not to be overlooked.
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Spot on. The need to bring Alleyne back had major consequences on our season. Not all his fault I should add, he is young and the pressure was huge. But beat Bodo maybe we get a better CL draw. Drop 5pts instead of 7 in the games he started, we are top of the league.

We need to have plenty of options and cover. Gvardiol can play LB and it may be that O'Reilly is both backed and backs himself to move into midfield more frequently next campaign too - maybe not regularly but on occasion.

We need two players in every position to challenge on all fronts, even more so after a World Cup.
 
Zabbasbeard said:
The thought of no Ruben Dias is ridiculous. A leader and top defender who is good on the ball, he is very important to our future.
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The thought of him and Guehi up against the likes of PSG and Real in the latter stages of the champions league terrifies me.
 
pmoney said:
The thought of him and Guehi up against the likes of PSG and Real in the latter stages of the champions league terrifies me.
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Khusanov and Guehi weren't great against Everton, you are worrying about PSG. Plus, Maresca won 3:0 against PSG with CBs who aren't better than Dias. The fixation on pace is getting stupid at times.

The thought of being without proper winners in the team, such as Dias, Rodri and Bernardo, should terrify anyone. Because it's a real possibility now. We haven't lost a title race with Dias at CB.

Khusanov is a top prospect, but his 50/50 challenges and inexperience have their downsides too. Next season will show why for those who can't get it now.
 
pmoney said:
The thought of him and Guehi up against the likes of PSG and Real in the latter stages of the champions league terrifies me.
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Squad game. I'd like to see Khusanov and Gvardiol or Guehi in that game. Guehi will adjust to that level. He has the ability.
 
alexmcity said:
Khusanov and Guehi weren't great against Everton, you are worrying about PSG. Plus, Maresca won 3:0 against PSG with CBs who aren't better than Dias. The fixation on pace is getting stupid at times.

The thought of being without proper winners in the team, such as Dias, Rodri and Bernardo, should terrify anyone. Because it's a real possibility now. We haven't lost a title race with Dias at CB.

Khusanov is a top prospect, but his 50/50 challenges and inexperience have their downsides too. Next season will show why for those who can't get it now.
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If Mares a comes in and drops the defense line, then maybe. But if he keeps the ultra high line, Khusanov is a must. There are 3 to 4 plays every game that amount to nothing because his speed nullified the attackers attempts to run in behind.

Anyone rlse as last defender and its a struggle high intense situation. Even Guehi had one last night. Thank God he earned a foul on it but he was clearly stretched.

On the 2 other occasions when it happened on the right the attacker didn't bother to go ful speed off as soon as he saw he wasn't going to be close.

High line means Khusanov. Lower the line and Dias/Guehi and Gvardiol become better options

Its what it is. Khusanov is the #1 horse for the high line.
 
Dax777 said:
If Mares a comes in and drops the defense line, then maybe. But if he keeps the ultra high line, Khusanov is a must. There are 3 to 4 plays every game that amount to nothing because his speed nullified the attackers attempts to run in behind.

Anyone rlse as last defender and its a struggle high intense situation. Even Guehi had one last night. Thank God he earned a foul on it but he was clearly stretched.

On the 2 other occasions when it happened on the right the attacker didn't bother to go ful speed off as soon as he saw he wasn't going to be close.

High line means Khusanov. Lower the line and Dias/Guehi and Gvardiol become better options

Its what it is. Khusanov is the #1 horse for the high line.
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We won 4 in a row and the Treble without Khusanov, and the latter mostly without Walker in big games, while playing a high line with Dias as the main CB.

More importantly, our record with Dias and Gvardiol from September to December was excellent, mostly without Rodri in the team at that. We didn't improve after Dias got injured, although Rodri was mostly available and normally we hit form in the spring under Pep.

Benching and losing Dias would be a loss. Don't think Maresca and club bosses are unaware, although the way they loaned Akanji without securing a replacement was a mistake.
 
alexmcity said:
We won 4 in a row and the Treble without Khusanov, and the latter mostly without Walker in big games, while playing a high line with Dias as the main CB.

More importantly, our record with Dias and Gvardiol from September to December was excellent, mostly without Rodri in the team at that. We didn't improve after Dias got injured, although Rodri was mostly available and normally we hit form in the spring under Pep.

Benching and losing Dias would be a loss. Don't think Maresca and club bosses are unaware, although the way they loaned Akanji without securing a replacement was a mistake.
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It reached the stage last year that we simply had to clear people out, and I think that Akanji was the unfortunate victim of circumstances.
 
Gabriel said:
It reached the stage last year that we simply had to clear people out, and I think that Akanji was the unfortunate victim of circumstances.
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Yes, but given our injury problems in 24/25 clearing the fittest defender out (plus Reis) withour securing a replacement wasn't reasonable. Should have immediately replaced him with Guehi. Repeating the same mistake two reasons in a row wasn't wise, to put it mildly.
 
alexmcity said:
Yes, but given our injury problems in 24/25 clearing the fittest defender out (plus Reis) withour securing a replacement wasn't reasonable. Should have immediately replaced him with Guehi. Repeating the same mistake two reasons in a row wasn't wise, to put it mildly.
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Agreed, but Stones and Ake proved impossible to shift. We'll never know, of course, but I've always imagined that if they had left, Akanji and probably even Gundogan would have remained. It's certainly going to be interesting to see how the experience shapes Viana's willingness to commit to players in future.
 
alexmcity said:
We won 4 in a row and the Treble without Khusanov, and the latter mostly without Walker in big games, while playing a high line with Dias as the main CB.

More importantly, our record with Dias and Gvardiol from September to December was excellent, mostly without Rodri in the team at that. We didn't improve after Dias got injured, although Rodri was mostly available and normally we hit form in the spring under Pep.

Benching and losing Dias would be a loss. Don't think Maresca and club bosses are unaware, although the way they loaned Akanji without securing a replacement was a mistake.
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Your analysis omits a lot. Like you clearly point out, Walker played the eraser role often earlier on. But we were also a better in possession team and needed to face fewer break away attempts.

So even if the line were high the last 7 years, it was weakest last year when we had a lower level of ball possessing talent. Thus we don't control the game as well with possession now as we did say 5 years ago.

So it goes without saying, that 1. Speed lost from losing Walker needed replacing, and 2. That need is greater now as we aren't as good managing our defense with possession as we used to be..

So like I said before, all the present factors favor starting Khusanov.

Also, im not sure that lack of possession control can be fixed easily. As i think the decision to go with higher athletism and lower control was a conscious decision. Haaland, Doku, Savio, Marmoush, Alvarez, Semenyo are all weaker possession players, albeit supremely superior in other attributes

Possession control is unlikely to be a strength going forward. We are more akin to peak Madrid rather than Peak Barca these days

But lets see how it plays out. Guehi and Gvardiol might work as both a quick for CBs. But nothing like Khis though.
 
Dax777 said:
Your analysis omits a lot. Like you clearly point out, Walker played the eraser role often earlier on. But we were also a better in possession team and needed to face fewer break away attempts.

So even if the line were high the last 7 years, it was weakest last year when we had a lower level of ball possessing talent. Thus we don't control the game as well with possession now as we did say 5 years ago.

So it goes without saying, that 1. Speed lost from losing Walker needed replacing, and 2. That need is greater now as we aren't as good managing our defense with possession as we used to be..

So like I said before, all the present factors favor starting Khusanov.

Also, im not sure that lack of possession control can be fixed easily. As i think the decision to go with higher athletism and lower control was a conscious decision. Haaland, Doku, Savio, Marmoush, Alvarez, Semenyo are all weaker possession players, albeit supremely superior in other attributes

Possession control is unlikely to be a strength going forward. We are more akin to peak Madrid rather than Peak Barca these days

But lets see how it plays out. Guehi and Gvardiol might work as both a quick for CBs. But nothing like Khis though.
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Our record with Dias and Gvardiol (even without Rodri!) is the best in the league since they were paired at CB in February last season, better than Arsenal's. So, you are selling me theoretical considerations devoid of empirical support.

And anyone who seriously watches games should know by now that Guehi isn't quick. If he is quicker than Dias, he's only marginally so. He compensates with other attributes. Great positioning can compensate lack of pace, but great pace can't compensate (to the same extent) poor positioning.
 
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