Virgil van Dijk or Ruben Dias – Who is a better pick?


Virgil van Dijk or Ruben Dias – Who is a better pick?

Manchester City FC won its 5th Premier League title recently since 2011 and is one step away from winning the Champions League. This performance clearly highlights the force of the Etihad outfit but amidst all the celebrations there was one player who stood out in the team’s Premier League success. He is Ruben Dias. The 25-year-old was tagged by many as Manchester City’s player of the season and rightly so.

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Amidst this, there has been a debate of who is a better pick Virgil van Dijk or Ruben Dias as this debate has witnessed mixed opinions amongst ex-footballers, pundits and fans. At the moment it’s difficult to come to a conclusion irrespective of the opinions. Virgil van Dijk’s presence has made the Anfield side one of the fiercest competitors in European football. The Reds needed that extra punch in their defensive organization.

Someone with a solid technical as well as tactical prowess who could contribute defensively as well as offensively. van Dijk was the perfect candidate keeping his all-round capabilities. Although an injury to him made him unavailable from October last year that cost Liverpool FC the chance of defending the Premier League title in the 2020-21 season, the Dutch has done a brilliant job in the past when it comes to his perfectly executed interceptions and his tactically solid tackles that provided reliability at the back for manager Jurgen Klopp.

The 31-year-old has showcased his knack to score with his powerful headers during set-pieces with his clever positioning inside the box and this is an added trait of the centre back. van Dijk has time and again demonstrated brilliant control with his possession and was the mainstay of Liverpool’s Premier League title win in the 2019-20 season. His ability to dominate aerial duels has provided assurance in defence more then ever before.

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Ruben Dias has been a rock for Manchester City

Ruben Dias has been influential in Manchester City's campaign this season
Ruben Dias has been influential in Manchester City’s campaign this season

On the other hand, Ruben Dias is comparatively new but the Portuguese has looked more then effective with some brilliant performances. The 25-year-old needs more time for his personal growth at the club as well as to grow temperamentally which would bring positive results for the Cityzens in the future. Manager Pep Guardiola has heaped praise on the youngster because of his ability to read the game and because of his on-field understanding. The manager went on to say that the Portuguese could be the next Manchester City skipper.

The former Benfica FC player looked spot on with his bold interceptions and darting tackles and wasn’t afraid to attack the opposition’s strikers to cut out any dangerous move. Dias is strong on both sides of the wings and can recover the ball from difficult positions with his speed and sliding challenges. Dias is surely one of the shining stars of the future but at the moment van Dijk has still some years left in him and is slightly ahead of Dias on the basis of tactical craft and experience.

Ruben Dias on the other hand will become tactically assured once he gains more experience and expertise while playing in different conditions and situations. Playing under Guardiola would give a boost to his career. At the moment van Dijk definitely is ahead but we can judge their class or who is better between the two once both call it a day in their respective careers. Till then we have the luxury to enjoy this healthy rivalry.

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