When Vincent Kompany left Manchester City, a fair few supporters were fearful about the future of the defence.
The Belgian had been a total warrior at the back for many years, and was an incredibly important cog in the machine that delivered trophy, after trophy, after trophy for the club in the 2010s.
Not only was Kompany an amazing footballer. He was an outstanding captain and leader.
There was, therefore, plenty of nervousness at the time of his departure from the club in the summer of 2019.
How would the club replace such an influential player?
The answer was by raiding Benfica for Ruben dos Santos Gato Alves Dias…
Manchester City struck absolute gold with the signing of Ruben Dias three years ago
Dias came in for a big fee, believed to be around £65 million all in.
Eyebrows were raised. Dias had a pretty solid reputation, but it was a lot of money to pay for a player coming from the Portuguese league.
But Dias immediately set about endearing himself to the hearts of the City faithful.
The centre-back made 53 appearances across all competitions in his first season with City, including 32 in the Premier League.
He amazed with his sheer dominance at the back.
That warrior-style defending was extremely reminiscent of the legendary Kompany.
But Dias was also showcasing fantastic ball-playing. Kompany was good on the ball, but Dias has been better than the Belgian on that front.
At the end of his first season, Dias was named FWA Footballer of the Year, made it into the PFA Team of the Season, and was City’s Player of the Year.
Dias’ high standards have remained ever since, and he has now clocked up 140 appearances for the club.
His impact has been undeniable. Since his arrival at the Etihad, City have won the Premier League every single time. Dias himself has scooped seven trophies with City, including, of course, the Champions League.
The best thing about the ‘exceptional’ Dias is his genuine love for the art of defending.
You will regularly see him make huge blocks and last-ditch amazing defensive plays, and then cheer them as if they were last-minute winners. Undoubtedly, he is still City’s top defender at the club despite the additions of some fantastic players after him.
And you just know he is one of the most important players in that dressing room.
When City release behind-the-scenes clips, you truly get a sense of what an amazing leader he is. And it’s remarkable to consider he is still only 26.
Quite simply, three years ago City made one of the most important signings in the club’s history.
