One of Manchester City’s mainstays has been slated for his performances during the 2024/2025 season.
Pep Guardiola has started a select few number of his outfield players in every Premier League game of the campaign so far,
The names include Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, Erling Haaland, Josko Gvardiol and Bernardo Silva.
The Manchester City boss must clearly be satisfied with their respective displays this season.
Considering City are yet to lose a single game in the league so far, Pep Guardiola would have every reason to be content.
However, the Sky Blues’ defenders would likely be upset that they have conceded nine goals in seven league games so far.
Dias in particular, who can be considered as the leader of Manchester City’s backline since he signed for the club in 2020.
Ruben Dias slammed as “pretty average”
The Portuguese centre-back is one of City’s club captains as well.
Pep Guardiola confirmed via Manchester City’s official website that the 27-year-old is a part of the club’s leadership group alongside Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo, Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan with Kyle Walker captaining the team once again this season.
Nathan Ake lauded Dias for his incredible consistency since the day he signed for Manchester City.
But far too often, the Sky Blues have looked toothless at the back this season — especially on the counter-attack.
Just seven games into the Premier League season, City have conceded two goals in two games against Arsenal and Fulham respectively.
For a defence that features stalwarts of the ilk of the £180,000-a-week man, such statistics make for grim reading.
Steve Nicol criticised Dias’ performances in what he believes has been a disappointing season for him so far.
Nicol said via ESPN UK: “This is a guy that won the Football Writer’s Player of the Year award not that long ago and quite frankly, on the counter-attack, he has been sadly wanting.”
“Not just against Fulham but in any of the games he’s played, he just hasn’t been able to counter or defend against, particularly pace. But just in general, his all-round play for me has been pretty average.”
“So, a surprise from [Ryan] Gravenberch but also a surprise that [Ruben] Dias has been as poor as he has.”
Harsh assessment of Ruben Dias’ season
While Manchester City’s defence has been leaking goals this season, Dias has not particularly been at fault for any of their mishaps at the back as Steve Nicol has suggested.
Nicol’s claim that Dias has struggled to defend counter-attacks is a surprise as his last-ditch defending has often saved City’s blushes.
The Premier League winners’ defensive woes have been a collective issue rather than down to an individual’s poor displays.
Dias will be hoping that after the international break, Manchester City tighten up their defence.
If City especially aim to win the league this season, they will need key players like the former Benfica colossus to stand up and be counted.
Steve Nicol’s singling out of Dias is a surprise considering he has started the season by putting in consistently rock-solid showings.
