Garth Crooks has said that according to him, Pep Guardiola trusts Ruben Dias more than any other Manchester City player in big games.
The controversial pundit made this claim about the £62 million (Sky Sports) man on BBC Sport while picking his Premier League Team of the Season.
As the FA Cup and Champions League final await Manchester City and Pep Guardiola, Garth Crooks is likely to be proven right about Ruben Dias.
Garth Crooks says Pep Guardiola trusts Ruben Dias in big games more than any other Manchester City player
In fact, Guardiola himself likened Dias to Kompany, pinpointing that even if he is benched, his mentality remains admirable as he is extremely unselfish and cares about the cause rather than himself, much like the Belgian legend.
Garth Crooks has clearly noticed the same about Ruben Dias, as he theorizes why Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola especially fancies him against the very best.
“He has been so effective since his arrival at Etihad Stadium that no one mentions how much Manchester City miss Vincent Kompany any more. Is it any wonder they call Ruben Dias ‘Pep 2’ in the dressing room?”
After complimenting Ruben Dias for adeptly replacing Vincent Kompany, Garth Crooks says Pep Guardiola has full faith in him in big games, saying, “The Portugal international must be Guardiola’s first selection on the team sheet, especially in the big games. Even when he is rotated and rested for the occasional fixture he returns and slots right back into the side as though he was never left out.”
Ruben Dias is a mentality monster
Garth Crooks does have a point in some ways as the three-time Premier League winner has come across as a born winner on and off the pitch ever since he signed for Manchester City, which is a trait that Pep Guardiola must absolutely adore.
Considering the Spanish tactician, as previously mentioned compared his mentality to Vincent Kompany is an insight into how incredibly positive of a presence he is in the dressing room.
Couple the 26-year-old’s elite mindset with the fact that he is one of the best centre-backs in the world and most managers would not even think twice before starting him against the best of the best.
