Manchester City’s vice-captain Ruben Dias has insisted that critics of the existing squad at times this season “should learn a lesson for the future” in a clear warning.
It has been a campaign of struggles due to many aspects for Manchester City’s squad, failing to compete for the Carabao Cup, Premier League title, or reaching the last-16 stage of the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2012.
The FA Cup did not bring any glory either, as despite reaching a third successive final in that tournament, it would be back-to-back defeats as Crystal Palace recorded a 1-0 win over City to claim their first major trophy in the club’s history.
Those struggles have also meant that City’s fight for UEFA Champions League qualification has gone down to the very last game of the season, knowing that a single point against Fulham away from home would ensure their position in Europe’s premier club tournament.
Performances of a number of players have brought about plenty of criticism, particularly those who are more seasoned veterans within the side, with some supporters online insisting that they should be leaving the club at the earliest opportunity this summer.
However, speaking during recent media commitments around Manchester City’s end-of-season fixtures, vice-captain and star central defender Ruben Dias has insisted that critics of the existing squad should perhaps “learn a lesson” for future reference.
“There was a lot of talking and very little reasoning behind most of the comments. People love to go crazy and they very easily forget about the whole process and everything that was done,” Dias said while reflecting on criticism of some City squad members earlier in the campaign.
“I’m not saying this as in not looking to the future because you must, but you also have to acknowledge that some players playing at the time were dealing with loads of injuries around them and had to play parts in which they were not even specific to certain positions.”
The Portugal international added during a conversation with the Manchester Evening News’ Simon Bajkowski, “They gave tremendous effort and we all as City fans and everyone at the club should be grateful for those efforts.
“They were obviously troubled times for many reasons but you shouldn’t doubt each other because of a bad wave. That shows a weak house and we are a strong house. If anyone doubted, maybe they should learn a lesson for the future.”
Looking at the current state of affairs within the Manchester City squad, which now features the likes of Rodri and Oscar Bobb following long-term injuries, Ruben Dias could not hold back his delight.
“It’s a lovely sight having everyone available,” the 28-year-old admitted. “And when everyone is available, the conversation changes a lot and we get very dangerous.”
Ruben Dias is one of only a select few players in Manchester City’s defensive unit that you would expect to have their future at the club solidified going into the new season, which perhaps highlights the uncertainty surrounding the extent of the overhaul this summer.
Among the names set to be analysed for possible exits are John Stones and Nathan Ake, largely due to their concerning injury record, as well as Matheus Nunes – who is not being viewed as a midfield solution, despite that being his natural position.
There could also be a conversation held over Manuel Akanji’s place at the club, while it remains to be seen whether temporary moves for either Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis will be considered with a view towards improved opportunities.
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