Ruben Dias has shared his honest thoughts on living in Manchester.
The colossal centre-back has become one of Manchester City’s most important players since he arrived from Benfica in 2020.
Dias has established himself as a leader in Pep Guardiola’s side and one of the best defenders in the Premier League.
The 26-year-old was crucial in helping City replace Vincent Kompany and has been integral in several trophy triumphs.
But what is it like living in grey and grizzly Manchester when you’re used to the sun and sea of Lisbon?
What living in Manchester is like for Ruben Dias
Dias was asked by The National about living in Manchester, a city many footballers have struggled to settle in.
City’s No.3 insisted he would rather be winning trophies than have a beach nearby.
“You could be in the most beautiful place in the world but if you are at work and not happy then you are not happy.
“Imagine whatever you like: sea, sun, snow, whatever. We are in Manchester.
“It has its bad things and its good things like any other place but mostly we are happy at work and even though we’ve won a lot we know we can win again.
“You ask me where I would rather be? In a place that I can have whatever specific thing I like in terms of living outside work or would rather be in the place that will allow me to keep on winning; I choose the place I can keep on winning.”
Good news for City
Hearing that Dias is happy in Manchester and wants to stay at City must be music to the club’s ears.
City have invested a lot of money in their defence since Guardiola took charge of the club with hundreds of millions being spent on centre-backs alone.
Just this past summer £77.6m was spent on Josko Gvardiol following the signings of Dias, Nathan Ake, Aymeric Laporte, Manuel Akanji and John Stones in recent years.
It would certainly be helpful if City could focus their spending on other positions in the upcoming summer window and keeping Dias means they should be able to.
City are well-stocked in most positions but a new defensive midfielder is an absolute must in 2024.
Rodri is relied upon too heavily and, following Ilkay Gundogan’s departure, the Blues no longer have a natural stand-in.
Kalvin Phillips never looked capable of doing so and it’s hard to see him playing for City again while Mateo Kovacic hasn’t performed since his move.
City have struggled when Rodri has been unavailable – losing all games without him this season – and are in dire need of a player who can lessen the burden on him.
