Jamie Redknapp has praised the ‘phenomenal’ Ruben Dias by comparing his impact to that of Vincent Kompany or Nemanja Vidic.
The Manchester City defender, signed from Benfica in September, has become an influential player for Pep Guardiola.
He’s helped the team to go on a 17-match unbeaten run in the Premier League this season.
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Dias, alongside John Stones at centre back, kept another clean sheet as City beat Arsenal 1-0 on Sunday.
Reacting to the player’s performance on Sky Sports (via MEN), Redknapp said: “[They’re] so comfortable. They’ve found a partnership at the back that is so assured.
“Every now and then, a player comes along that you think you can maybe sign and hope that they do well. But I don’t think anybody could have expected that Dias would make the impact he has.
“He’s a phenomenal player, a leader of men. The amount of times I see someone do a good piece of play – John Stones when he’s too strong for Aubameyang – and he goes over and gives them a high five.
“There are certain signings, Nemanja Vidic at Manchester United, that provide that leadership. Vincent Kompany, when he signed for City. They have an impact on everyone around them, and that is what Dias has done for that club. He’s a phenomenal player.”
Guardiola’s side are unbeaten since their 2-0 loss to Spurs in November.
The run has helped them to climb to the top of the table, ten points ahead of second-placed Man Utd.
Redknapp continued: “They’ve been excellent in the last 25 games and a lot of that is to do with this guy. He was the captain of Benfica at 19. When he does things or when he makes a challenge, he’s up and he wants to make another challenge.
“If someone else does something good, he goes over and high-fives them. He’s a leader. Certain players come into the league like Vincent Kompany and Virgil van Dijk and just change a team.”
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