Manchester City Confirm Ruben Dias Signing

Long-Term Laporte Partner

Besides Aymeric Laporte, City haven’t had a consistent centre-back for the past few seasons. Fernandinho impressed in that role, but he’s a midfielder by trade and will never be anything other than a makeshift centre-half.

John Stones and Otamendi have both been uninspiring, which has left Guardiola calling out for reinforcements. This becomes all the more important when you consider Laporte’s injury struggles. The Frenchman only played 15 games last season, which left City stretched thin at the back.

Dias now joins the Citizens and will give Guardiola another option at the back. Especially if Laporte gets injured again, he’ll be crucial to maintaining City’s title hopes.

One In, One Out at City

The signing of Dias has seen fellow defender Nicolas Otamendi head the other way after spending five years at the club, winning two Premier League titles, four League Cups and one FA Cup in the process. The defender leaves having collected every souvenir possible in English football. He may not have left a lasting legacy on the pitch at times, particularly towards the end of his time at the Etihad, but Otamendi leaves with a collection of memorable victories.

The arrival of Dias, accompanied by the exit of Otamendi, leaves Pep Guardiola and City with at least four centre-backs to call upon this season with Nathan Ake, John Stones, Aymeric Laporte and now Ruben Dias all available options. It will certainly be interesting to see how Dias fits into what has been the leakiest of defences over the last season or so.