There have been many standout performers in the Premier League so far this season, with many players looking to be in the running to be player of the season come May. Bruno Fernandes has hardly put a foot wrong with 23 goal involvements so far this season. Harry Kane has continued his goal scoring exploits from previous years with 13 goals whilst also currently being top of the assists chart with 11. Jack Grealish and Emiliano Martinez have been star players for the high-flying Aston Villa this season, with only Kane ahead of Grealish for assists whilst Martinez has kept 12 clean sheets this season, bettered only by Ederson’s 14. My current player of the season is Manchester City centre back Ruben Dias. The 23-year-old was signed for £65 million from Benfica in the summer and has transformed Pep Guardiola’s defence.
Manchester City have kept 14 clean sheets (most in the league) and conceded 15 goals (least in the league) so far this season, leading to them currently sitting 10 points clear at the top of the table. This has largely been down to the instant impact of Ruben Dias. Dias was signed in order to fill the hole left by Kompany’s departure the previous year. Many people pointed towards City’s lack of a defender like Dias as to why they did not win the league last season, so there was a lot of responsibility placed on the Portuguese defenders’ shoulders when he was signed. Dias has only lost once in the league for city in 21 games, keeping 12 clean sheets and conceding only 9 in that time. He has the most clearances for City in the league and the second most interceptions and aerial battles won leading to many saying he has actually had a bigger impact on City’s back line than Van Dijk did with Liverpool when he signed from Southampton in 2018.
Pep Guardiola has praised the leadership qualities that Dias has which has been a huge boost for the team. Since club captains Vincent Kompany and David Silva left, there has been a leadership void in City’s squad that now seems to have been filled. It is a common cliché that a great defence wins you titles and Guardiola’s approach to this season has proved the importance of the defence. City have played the majority of the season without a proper striker with Aguero having only played in 5 matches so far, yet due to their formidable defence they have not missed their all-time top scorer.
In the 25 games prior to the signing of Dias City conceded an average of 0.8 goals per match, in Dias’ first 25 games they conceded an average of 0.4 goals per match. Much of Dias’ positive impact has been a result of the partnership he has formed with John Stones. In the 16 games the two have played together they have won 15 and drawn one keeping 13 clean sheets and conceding just 3 goals.
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