Joleon Lescott has been influenced by Ruben Dias since joining Benfica.
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The 23-year-old signed a six-year contract in the summer and has been a key player in City’s impressive defense.
In the 27 games he has played across all tournaments, we have conceded just nine goals at level one every 255 minutes, holding a clean sheet in 59 percent of games.
We have won 20 of the 27 games he has played and has completed 2,092 passes.
Those numbers are staggering and Lescott says Dias’ ability to play consistently and perform consistently allowed him to make such a big impact on the sidelines.
“He’s been a huge influence,” Lescott says.
“What matters most to me is how reliable and enduring it is. It’s solid on all sides – going, dealing – but it’s the biggest thing available.
“He’s played 50 games in the last two seasons with Benfica – and 27 have already played for City – that’s a big deal with someone who is always relevant and available.
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“Coming to a new country at an old age at lockdown and playing this well says a lot. Surprisingly he’s only 23 – he’s playing and looks like a very mature man.
“That comes from coming from a big club. Benfica is not an average club, it ‘s really big where the demands are really high – as high as City.
“So it has come from a winning mindset. These are things that people donate. “
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Dias has been highly praised since he came to the sidelines, with his positional sense and bravery identified as key components of his game.
But in our recent win over Sheffield United, it showed a good pace to recover and stop Ollie Burke from making progress in our third defense.
It was a rare sight of Dias turning the shooters, which Lescott believes reflects just how clever he is on the pitch.
“The distance surprised me,” he said.
“The best compliment I can pay him is that he’s played 27 games and I’ve just found out he’s super fast. I like that.
“Lots of defenders you can watch, and you know after 10 minutes he is fast because he is in the wrong position and he had to use his speed to get out of trouble.
“I only noticed one time with Ruben Dias – against Sheffield United when he ran back with Ollie Burke – and that’s it.
“That’s because he’s in the right position all the time.
“So now, as a move forward, you think you can’t run – to a position it’s firm and it’s as fast as it can turn on.”
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