3 | Ruben Dias - 2025/26

[.db.]

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.

O’Reilly wasn’t fit to start at Villa after he was brought off injured against Everton. Ait-Nouri also wasn’t fit. So Gvardiol had to play LB.

So Dias had to be paired with Stones.

 

[alexmcity]

O’Reilly wasn’t fit to start at Villa after he was brought off injured against Everton. Ait-Nouri also wasn’t fit. So Gvardiol had to play LB.

So Dias had to be paired with Stones.

Also, no DM (Rodri, Nico, Kova) was fit enough to start and Pep thought Stones could help Reijnders at DM.

 

[Manc in London]

He has not been very good for a while now but when he came on I thought we defended with a bit more intelligence and calmness. He may not be great in the air and he looks like he is running in treacle at times but he is clearly a good leader and his defending of small spaces is high quality. Gvardiol could do with some of Dias' aggression, intelligence and leadership qualities.

Quite enjoyed Dias leaving his mark on a couple of Bournemouth players at the weekend.

 

[Chak19]

Father fucking Ruben is back baby.

 

[OrigamiNinja]

Oh he’s back.

 

[FromPollockToSilva]

Magnificent

 

[alexmcity]

Has been great. Top player and leader.

 

[Revolver]

Unlike last season he now has a functioning midfield in front of him and a keeper behind him making saves (Ed is still a legend)

Add this to his talent and leadership and hey ho he’s not as bad as some thought.

 

[Ric]

Really good again today. Perhaps not quite getting the plaudits of others, but quietly going about his business and getting back to his best. One of the natural leaders in the team.

 

[skillman]

Mint today. Has been for weeks. Standing tall at the back, like a colossal back there recently in with aerial duels and also just general battling. Great to see.

 

[waspish]

Back to where he was 18 months ago a rock

 

[.db.]

Back to his best this season.

Injuries ravaged him last season. We forget with Rodri and Bobb, Stones Aké and others… but Dias missed about 20 games last season himself and with all the other injuries and issues we had, he was expected to just come back fork unity and play well immediately.

 

[asahartford1]

I don't understand the people that cannot see his qualities.

 

[stan bowles]

Another very solid performance from him today. Leads by example and barks out the orders.

 

[samuelyeboah]

rewatched the full match. He was actually incredible today. huge reason for the clean sheet.

 

[Blue Hefner]

Imagine you’re Arsenal, you are a few points infront of City then line up in the tunnel
Donna
Dias
Nico G Rodders
Foden
Haaland

It’s a different world. Our players have done the business. Foden has won all sorts, Saka has won Arsenal’s player of the year

There are levels to this and if we are close. We will win - City don’t lose run ins

 

[alexmcity]

Genuine question: have we lost a *league* game with Dias and Gvardiol at CB? Not this season, since 23/24? (Gvardiol played mostly at LB in 23/24).

Since the start of last season, we haven't lost a league game with Dias and Gvardiol as a CB combo.

Yet, many on here seem convinced they are not good enough...

 

[MCFC1993]

Bit of a shaky patch at the start of the season but grown into the season a lot the last few weeks. Back to being our most reliable centre half at the moment.

In a way, I think downgrading the technical ability of our goalkeeper (no disrespect to Donnarumma, he's still more than good enough) has helped him. Doesn't get as many really tight passes in the build up.

 

[skillman]

Another very solid performance from him today. Leads by example and barks out the orders.

I spotted him bollocking Doku for not tracking Bradley in the second half. Proper leader out there and something I didn’t realise notice him doing last season.