Despite being completely undroppable since his move from Benfica two years ago, Manchester City centre-back Ruben Dias could have finally reached the point where he can be dropped. In recent weeks, he has been the target of Pep roulette, and as a result, he has been relegated to the bench for a number of important games that have been played this season. In the backline for the games against Dortmund and the Manchester derby, Nathan Ake has been chosen over Dias as the player to start.
In his two seasons at Man City, Ruben Dias has been the undisputed first choice in the heart of defense, missing just a handful of games over that period. John Stones, Nathan Ake and Aymeric Laporte have all tried to unseat him but have failed to do so, thus competing between themselves for the other remaining starting berth at City. Injuries to these three at the tail end of last season and early this season, forced City back into the market for a new centre-back to further increase the squad’s depth.
Man City managed to sign Manuel Akanji from Dortmund for a fee of £15m and after four games for the club, his performances have seemingly dethroned Dias. Akanji has been solid over the four games and has partnered with both Ake and Dias as centre-backs.
Pep Guardiola rarely gives explanations for his team selections and that has been the same this season, particularly in connection with his centre-back pairing. Earlier in the season, he said that the club doesn’t have the first choice and they are all in contention to start. With the games coming thick and fast before the World Cup break, Pep Guardiola’s centre-backs will have ample time to make a good impression and cement their place in the pecking order. Ruben Dias will have more opportunities to get more games under his belt. With Guardiola preferring two opposite strong feet centre-backs for some games, it will be interesting to see how the pairings go starting this weekend.
