Ruben Dias has hit the ground running at the Etihad.
The Portuguese defender was bought from Benfica at £62m during the summer transfer window in 2020.
He has been phenomenal under Pep Guardiola this season and former City centre-half Nedum Onuoha claims that Dias’ presence on the field is alarming for many of their Premier League rivals.
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Onuha told Radio 5 Live: “Any new player coming into a club, particularly for big money, is going to stimulate the work force and the people that are already there because people will be wondering ‘do I still have my spot’ and it becomes more competitive.
“The fact that he has hit the ground running and suits the style from minute one, it means you want to play alongside somebody who is doing that well. You need to raise your game to be alongside that player that is almost exceeding expectations.
“I think the better players you have in a team and the better they are playing week in, week out then it’s not just game days when it is competitive, it is training days as well. There are people fighting to be in the side at the weekend.
“To bring someone like him in, and for him to have done as well as he has, it’s a great thing for the defence. Also, the psychological aspect is there for the opposition now as they are hearing noises about Dias and the partnership with Stones.
“It puts you off, rather than when people were going to the Etihad last season and thinking that City are quite weak and they will give us something. Once that leaves the conversation, you are trying to figure out how exactly are we going to be able to do them?”
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