3 | Ruben Dias - 2025/26

Blasphemy though it might be, I didn’t think he had a particularly bad game. He saved us on a few 1 on 1s and is left hanging repeatedly by Pep’s non-defensive tactics.

I’m not a big fan of shouters on the field, as it’s performative for many of them, but it’s clear Pep likes it, because he named him one of the Captains. That suggests he’s going nowhere and is our #1 CB in Pep’s eyes.

I’d like to see what a

REIS - KHUSANOV - GVARDIOL - AIT NOURI

Back 4 could do, with RAN pushing forward to leave us with the R-K-G Back 3.

Surely it couldn’t have shipped more than 4 against Al Hilal?!
 
He used to play like Koulibaly did today.
He used to be super mobile, aggressive, win aerial duels, perfectly timed tackles, chip in with goals etc now he can’t jump, he has the 2nd worst aerial duel % in the EPL and he can’t sprint.

We simply can’t play him in this high line system


He’s been bad for ages but improved when Gvardiol was there. He’s played like 60 games since 2021 I don’t know if he’s completely done or just needs a long long rest.

But i’d play Khusonov Reis ahead of him all day everyday
 
No point in even saying much as pep will continue to play Dias and arkanji next season and we will get rinsed by he big teans yet again .
 
BluestBlue said:
He used to play like Koulibaly did today.
He used to be super mobile, aggressive, win aerial duels, perfectly timed tackles, chip in with goals etc now he can’t jump, he has the 2nd worst aerial duel % in the EPL and he can’t sprint.

We simply can’t play him in this high line system


He’s been bad for ages but improved when Gvardiol was there. He’s played like 60 games since 2021 I don’t know if he’s completely done or just needs a long long rest.

But i’d play Khusonov Reis ahead of him all day everyday
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Agree with some of this he does bring a voice at the back and if we are a team that sits in he be great for us for our play high line he is more of liability but can’t see pep ever dropping him pep might give him a rest a game or two through a season but he will be our main centre back pep will pick and always will pick because we all know pep regarding experience and has a big voice in the dressing room! It got Walker a new contract!
 
WallyA said:
It's kind of shocking look at his aerial duel stats, how can a top CB be so bad in the air?
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He’s only a top CB for the way he can make those around him play better (when his leadership is on point). He’s not a top CB purely based on his attributes. You can’t be a top CB profile if you are slow and one of the worst CBs in Europe on aerial duels. We need to upgrade. The rebuild will remain incomplete for as long as Dias is in our best 11 imo.
 
Walker's pace bailed him out quite often.

Seems more interested in the Instagram lifestyle - whenever he is involved with one of these Love Island girls his on pitch performances seem a shadow of what it was.

It makes you wonder where his head is at and I'm mentioning the latter because he should be captain the way he talks but Pep clearly doesn't fancy him for it.
 
Certainly made the most his ability this lad as he’s undoubtedly been a very good signing and has done very well for us. If you actually went through what you’d want from a genuine top class centre half though he ticks very few boxes. Being a good organiser and good positionally is about it.
 
jimharri said:
As I said during the match (WTF was I thinking, getting up to watch that?), the drop off in his form in the last 18-24 months is stark. Him and Stones were majestic at the back during that period. But now? Well; Stones just can't stay fit, and Dias is jittery.
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Stones just makes every centre half he plays with better and he’s a huge loss.
 
ste.sully said:
Walker's pace bailed him out quite often.

Seems more interested in the Instagram lifestyle - whenever he is involved with one of these Love Island girls his on pitch performances seem a shadow of what it was.

It makes you wonder where his head is at and I'm mentioning the latter because he should be captain the way he talks but Pep clearly doesn't fancy him for it.
Click to expand...
You have to back up strong words with strong actions. He doesn't (any more).
 
Dias properly lifted us when he joined, he was great and took us to another level.

So... Has he changed, or has how we play changed, or has how the opposition play against us changed?

I'd go more with the last 2, but we need a centre-back to have the impact that he had originally. If that can't be him any more and he doesn't quite fit what's required, then maybe we need to move on.
 
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