Manchester City adds Benfica’s Ruben Dias to their defensive ranks

Manchester City adds another new center back in Ruben Dias to help bolster a defense that has already conceded six goals in two games.

Time for change at the back. Besides losing nine games last campaign calling Pep Guardiola’s defensive line into question, Man City have now already recorded their first loss of the new run.

It is only the second fixtures of the season and City has hit a speed bump in their quest to reclaim the EPL title from Liverpool. To assure holes are being plugged at back, the Citizens have reached an agreement with Benfica for the signing of Ruben Dias.

The deal is said to be £65m upfront that will rise by a further £3m in add-ons later. Included in the purchase is the exchange of Nicolas Otamendi heading in the opposite direction to join up with SL Benfica.

"Manchester City have agreed a £65m deal to sign defender Ruben Dias, Benfica have announced, with Nicolas Otamendi moving in the opposite direction.The deal for Dias is worth an initial £62m, with a further £3m subject to add-ons, and was confirmed in a statement from Benfica on Sunday night following City’s 5-2 defeat at home to Leicester. (Via: Sky Sports)"

Ruben Dias has been a regular player for the Primeira Liga side after making it to the senior team in 2017/18. In 91 senior appearances for the Portuguese outfit, Dias has nine goals and three assists to his name.

The center-half is a ball-playing defender too, racking up 1934 passes in his previous campaign. Defensively, the player clocked 17 clean sheets in the Portuguese league.

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He was associated with a number of big-name clubs around Europe, which even included Manchester United. However, City has beaten all of its competitors to the player’s signature.

After Pep Guardiola’s squad’s defensive weaknesses were exposed in a 5-2 defeat to Leicester City at the Etihad on Sunday past, Dias will be a much-welcomed addition to the squad.

Man City, after falling well short in their goal to keep the Premier League title for a third consecutive time, has used up the off-season looking for new defensive options.

The Leicester loss is a major setback in their goal to fight the Reds this season. They have already won both their league matches against Leeds and Chelsea, respectively.

Pep will be hoping Arsenal can do everybody in the league a favor and take some points away from the champions.

With age and experience on his side, can Dias make a big difference in Manchester City’s defense?