Ruben Dias signs.
- Thread starter Bluedub
- Start date
johnkelv
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Welcome Rubin, but who has #4 shirt?
johnkelv
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'He was never City's first choice' - analysis
Rob Schofield, BBC World Service
Dias is the latest City recruit to have started life in Benfica's Seixal academy, but unlike compatriots Bernardo Silva and Joao Cancelo he won't be afforded a season to bed in.
Since Kompany's departure in 2019, City have needed an authoritative, combative, right-footed centre-back and the defeat by Leicester showed they cannot wait any longer.
Dias was not City's first choice. They wanted the finished article but, with their relationship with Napoli irreparable after the Italian club sold Jorginho to Chelsea in 2018, a deal for Koulibaly for less than £70m always looked unlikely.
This may prove better business though. Dias is six years younger, cheaper and offers City the opportunity to offload Otamendi, 32, at the same time.
Koulibaly's form has fluctuated a great deal depending on his defensive partner, while Dias has proven himself as a consistent performer in the three years since breaking into the Benfica first team, as well as a leader - which City sorely need.
Rob Schofield, BBC World Service
Dias is the latest City recruit to have started life in Benfica's Seixal academy, but unlike compatriots Bernardo Silva and Joao Cancelo he won't be afforded a season to bed in.
Since Kompany's departure in 2019, City have needed an authoritative, combative, right-footed centre-back and the defeat by Leicester showed they cannot wait any longer.
Dias was not City's first choice. They wanted the finished article but, with their relationship with Napoli irreparable after the Italian club sold Jorginho to Chelsea in 2018, a deal for Koulibaly for less than £70m always looked unlikely.
This may prove better business though. Dias is six years younger, cheaper and offers City the opportunity to offload Otamendi, 32, at the same time.
Koulibaly's form has fluctuated a great deal depending on his defensive partner, while Dias has proven himself as a consistent performer in the three years since breaking into the Benfica first team, as well as a leader - which City sorely need.
BamaEngineer
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Apparently, the Portuguese speak better English than I do.
Bluedub
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Rising
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BamaEngineer
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Skoorb
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About time someone made this comparison.
https://www.skysports.com/football/...ed-with-virgil-van-dijk-pitch-to-post-podcast
Maybe The Lost Narrative of "City's Defensive Woes" has disappointed so many in the world of football punditry that they have mostly opted to just ignore it
. Similarly if the rags or LiverpoolTMfailed were on a run of form like City they would be making videos and leading the news. Darned inconvenient that it is City. 
https://www.skysports.com/football/...ed-with-virgil-van-dijk-pitch-to-post-podcast
Maybe The Lost Narrative of "City's Defensive Woes" has disappointed so many in the world of football punditry that they have mostly opted to just ignore it
. Similarly if the rags or LiverpoolTMfailed were on a run of form like City they would be making videos and leading the news. Darned inconvenient that it is City.
johnkelv
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No doubt in my mind we have found a diamond in Ruben, and don't the pundits hate it that we are doing well, apart that is from former City player pundits. Well the haters can hate, but I am just loving it at the moment.About time someone made this comparison.
https://www.skysports.com/football/...ed-with-virgil-van-dijk-pitch-to-post-podcast
Maybe The Lost Narrative of "City's Defensive Woes" has disappointed so many in the world of football punditry that they have mostly opted to just ignore it
johnkelv
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Even Jamie is a fan of our #3
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/f...s-frontrunner-Premier-League-Player-Year.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/f...s-frontrunner-Premier-League-Player-Year.html
Skoorb
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Definately.Mancrushes all round on this thread!!!
Love that he just wants to do his job and do it well.
