he’ll know himself that he’s no longer too of the pecking order.
It's fans who think Dias deserves to be benched.
He has been 1st choice since his arrival, the only permanent presence in our defence since 2020, and last season was no different when he was fit. He's 29, not 35.
That said, Dias is sufficiently intelligent to understand that fans may prefer other defenders, who are younger and are expected to get better. He knows he can play for top teams overseas, so it's logical he might want to go.
But that could happen if Gvardiol signs a new contract, and preferably Rodri too. Leadership is crucial to any team challenging for titles, and Dias has been a leader of one of the best teams ever. I'm fairly certain our club bosses want him to stay.
