3 | Ruben Dias - 2025/26

I am often critical of him but he has good lately. I hope he is getting back to his best
 
Asked an advanced AI model to calculate our points per PL game with and without Dias in the starting XI since the start of last season:

with Dias: 2.23 ppg
without Dias: 1.07 ppg

His influence on our results has been huge in a positive way.

We have had the best results with him and Gvardiol at CB.

Stones has started only 9 games at CB in that period. Our results with him in the starting XI have been far worse than without him. But I think that has more to do with the small sample than with his performances.

In any case, the widely shared assumption on here that Stones is a better defender than Dias is dictated by Stones's performances next to Rodri 30 months ago. Dias has been the better and more important defender since 22/23, and it's not even close.
 
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Since Dias has come back in the first XI (after Brighton away), our defensive record has been brilliant. Proper leader on and off the pitch.
 
I still think he is more than good enough as a defender. However, on the ball, it’s fucking painful to watch. He does everything in slow motion, when he finally does pass the ball, it’s usually at half the pace it should be and typically, behind the receiving player.
 
Dias generally played alright yesterday, but that effort to block Cash’s goal was pathetic and it’s what ended up winning the game for Villa.

I commented on Van De Ven for doing that twice for Spurs last week and thought at the time that I’d hate to see our players putting both arms behind their backs and turning their backs away from a shot that ends up in the net, yet Dias yesterday did exactly that.

Strangely that was also against Villa, Villa have been fortunate with some shitbag attempts to block their goals recently:
Post in thread 'Premier League Games | 18/19/20 Oct '25'
https://forums.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk/threads/premier-league-games-18-19-20-oct-25.369859/post-18691339

Foden did the same thing for Monaco’s first goal recently n’all.

Man up and go and block the shot properly. If it hits you in the face or the bollocks, so fucking what?!
 
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That was like the old Ruben today, absolutely bodied Semenyo and left him lying on the ground in the first half, still question marks on his aerial ability but he's been much better lately overall.
 
Much improved this season.

A million times the player when Gvardiol is next to him.

Why Pep decided to break that up last week was a strange one.

That partnership will win us trophies over the next few years.
 
Much improved this season.

A million times the player when Gvardiol is next to him.

Why Pep decided to break that up last week was a strange one.

That partnership will win us trophies over the next few years.
Perhaps it's because we have a midfield that can actually run in front of him?
 
still question marks on his aerial ability
It's hilarious how every time we get a corner, the cameraman zooms in on Ruben Dias telling his teammates what to do with the impending set-piece routine despite himself offering naff all as an aerial or goal threat.

Every.Single.Time.
 
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Ruben Dias has been recognised for his outstanding commitment to community work by being voted the PFA Community Champion at the 2025 Northwest Football Awards.

City’s Portuguese international central defender has been a tireless champion and advocate of the inspirational work undertaken by the Club’s charity City in the Community.

Congratulations Ruben on this deserved Award.

 

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