3 | Ruben Dias - 2025/26

His reading of the offside trap is atrocious lately culminating in at least two VAR assisted goals in the last two games, and putting his hands behind his back and turning away to incoming shots on goal is infuriating.

But hey ho, Dias scored a goal in 4 years, got a nose bleed and then induced sheer panic in the back line in a game we lost last week (Newcastle), all in the act of being a leader and warrior.
 
franksinatra said:
He spends more time high-fiving people than actually defending nowadays. It’s all style over substance.

I watch other matches and you see defenders rushing out to block shots, headed clearances etc but Ruben just stands there legs outstretched in a half lunge pose, arms ridiculously tight behind is back (are you looking ref) and rarely gets close enough are in the correct position to block a shot. He also rarely seems to pick up his man and the move generally finishes with an effort on goal. Woltenmade had the freedom of the stadium for his three chances and for their second he ignored the line of defenders and played Guimares on. Was incredible in his first couple of years but regressed badly, esp since 2023.
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I rarely criticise players, but theres a whiff of the "Scotty Parker"s about Ruben....which is strange, as in the past he has been incredible...maybe its just the lack of continuity around him
 
He’s regressed for sure, as have others sadly, but some of the criticism is way over the top.
We’ve had nearly 2 seasons of unsettled defence and midfield, he’s had his injuries and the way we play has changed quite a bit.
He’s certainly not in the top 5 issues we have right now.
 
Not a fan of his hissy fits when we concede - I get it's annoying but he's there to correct & lead. Doubt it inspires any confidence when he's just screaming, especially when he's imperfect
 
Don't know if he is looking poor because the defence are now under pressure every game or Wether his form has just fell away from the treble season and 4 in a row seasons.

In our prime the defence had the shield of Rodri in front of them and the recovery pace of Walker in behind them.

Those have now gone and it's exposing him every week.

Every goal we conceded last night he was going mad. But some of that anger should be directed at himself.
 
Phil1 said:
He’s regressed for sure, as have others sadly, but some of the criticism is way over the top.
We’ve had nearly 2 seasons of unsettled defence and midfield, he’s had his injuries and the way we play has changed quite a bit.
He’s certainly not in the top 5 issues we have right now.
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I disagree. I’d say he’s one of the biggest issues. Have a quality central defensive partnership and it’ll mask a fair number of issues in any side.
 
franksinatra said:
He spends more time high-fiving people than actually defending nowadays. It’s all style over substance.
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Unfortunately I agree and have thought that for the last three seasons. He talks the talk but unfortunately unlike VK he doesn’t regularly walk the walk. Albeit he has been a bit better lately.
We might have been better during a rebuild to give Khusanov/Guardiol more of a run at it. Sadly I think John/Ruben/Nathan are all past their best through age or whatever.
 
I have never been convinced that he looks comfortable with the ball at his feet and I think teams this. They tend to block passing lanes with Stones but they press Ruben as he is likely to make a shit pass. Plus he isn’t exactly one of the quickest with his recovery runs. Very vocal, with his share of headers but not enough IMO at both ends of the pitch. Good player but nowhere near a very good one at the moment.
 
Boo or Boo-urns said:
His reading of the offside trap is atrocious lately culminating in at least two VAR assisted goals in the last two games, and putting his hands behind his back and turning away to incoming shots on goal is infuriating.

But hey ho, Dias scored a goal in 4 years, got a nose bleed and then induced sheer panic in the back line in a game we lost last week (Newcastle), all in the act of being a leader and warrior.
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I'm "old school" - reading the offside trap and keeping a line is the job of your FBs, they can see right across the line (which btw is what infuriates me about wingers who are constantly caught offside).
The "hands behind his back" is just the way defenders play these days to try and avoid the VAR potential
But back on point - I wouldn't be playing him currently, but like other positions we're limited in terms of experience.
Nunes - Khusanov - Gvardiol - O'Reilly might look nice but where's the older head??? (Wouldn’t pick that back 4 btw - it's a hypothetical)
 
Someone at Transfermarkt doesn't rate him. He's listed as Turnip Dias. Click on the link and his name changes to Turnip after a few seconds.

www.transfermarkt.co.uk

Rúben Dias - Player profile 25/26

Rúben Dias, 28, from Portugal ➤ Manchester City, since 2020 ➤ Centre-Back ➤ Market value: €60.00m ➤ * 14/05/1997 in Amadora, Portugal
www.transfermarkt.co.uk www.transfermarkt.co.uk
 

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BlueMonkey79 said:
Don't know if he is looking poor because the defence are now under pressure every game or Wether his form has just fell away from the treble season and 4 in a row seasons.

In our prime the defence had the shield of Rodri in front of them and the recovery pace of Walker in behind them.

Those have now gone and it's exposing him every week.

Every goal we conceded last night he was going mad. But some of that anger should be directed at himself.
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I think it's a mix of both, because even with Rodri ahead of him in the 4 in a row season he wasn't nearly as solid. Dias has looked better recently because Gonzalez is getting a run in the team and has vastly improved. I do think his reactions to the goals last night were pretty warranted because those chances came from carelessness in possession or the midfield compressing into the box and not closing down the ball outside of the area.

It also doesn't help that he just isn't very good with the ball at his feet. Ederson was always there to bail him out to find a pass out and recycle possession which gave us control. Donnarumma isn't ever going to do that for Dias which leads to us having to actually defend more and losing the control we've relied on to defend with possession.
 
Ajm1985 said:
Not a fan of his hissy fits when we concede - I get it's annoying but he's there to correct & lead. Doubt it inspires any confidence when he's just screaming, especially when he's imperfect
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I understand and accept the lack of effort he is complaining.about. With Tijanni on the first and Foden on the 3rd. The effort was lacking.

Strangely, Foden and Tijanni have on multiple occasions failed to score on their shots because the opposing player gave up their body to defend a certain goal.



That our players, often don't do the same is worth criticizing. Khusanov would have giving his body up on both occasions.
 
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