One leader for Manchester City will have a crucial role to play next season | OneFootball

As the Manchester City squad begins the second stage of their pre-season today there will be a host of City players who will set the standard in training. Pep Guardiola’s squad has a host of leaders who inspire their teammates. Officially, Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Ruben Dias and Erling Haaland have been named in Manchester City’s captaincy group for the 25/26 season. Each player will have a pivotal role to play. In the case of Ruben Dias, he will have a vital role to play. He is City’s defensive leader and is an inspirational figure to the entire City squad.

If Ruben Dias is at his best he is an inspirational figure to the entire Manchester City squad.

When Ruben Dias is at his best he is arguably Manchester City’s most important centre-back. The Portuguese international inspires his teammates with his presence. He is a player who helps his teammates walk taller. When at his best, Ruben Dias reads the game well, which covers his lack of pace. He is also strong in a challenge which is a vital component of his play. The hope is for the 25/26 season that Ruben Dias can play at the high standards he has maintained throughout his Manchester City career.

Last season was a battle for Ruben Dias like so many of his teammates. He battled niggling injuries and couldn’t quite maintain his best form. That wasn’t an affliction that only affected Ruben Dias. But looking ahead to the 25/26 season it is imperative that Ruben Dias returns to his best.

If Ruben Dias returns to his best, then Pep Guardiola’s side is immediately a better team.

It is not an understatement to say that the 24/25 season was a disappointing campaign for Manchester City. They fell well below the standards expected of a Pep Guardiola side. But it may be looked back upon as a season City needed to have. A season where they didn’t meet their expected standards could provide impetus for Manchester City to return to the high standards that have previously been set.

But to do that a host of City players must return to their best form. One of those players is Ruben Dias. If Dias is at his best, generally his team is. As mentioned above Ruben Dias is an inspirational figure to his teammates. But outside of that if Dias is at his best Pep Guardiola’s side is a stronger force. Defensively they are solid and that lays the foundation for all of Manchester City’s play. If Ruben Dias can set the standard at the back his team will follow him. That’s the challenge ahead of Ruben Dias for next season. Return to his best at the back and lift his team.

Ruben Dias has rightfully been included in Manchester City’s leadership group for next season. Now the challenge is there for Dias to perform at the level he is capable of reaching. If he does Pep Guardiola’s side may return to the top of English football. Dias is that important to City and it’s on him to be the centre-back that he can be which is one of the best in the Premier League.