Ruben Dias underlines what Man City need to be Premier League champions

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola was able to rest some of Manchester City's key players against Birmingham, and his second half substitutions could indicate who is in line to start against Brighton on Wednesday.Raheem Sterling, Ilkay Gundogan and Oleks Zinchenko were rested completely, while Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, John Stones and Kevin De Bruyne all played 45 minutes in City's straightforward FA Cup win at the weekend.

straight to your inboxManchester City didn't exactly stumble upon Ruben Dias this summer, but neither was he their top target to fill the centre back vacancy that had become a recurring problem for Pep Guardiola.There were other names in contention to be City's marquee signing of the summer, with Kalidou Koulibaly dominating much of the discussion, before an interest in Sevilla's Jules Kounde.For a variety of reasons, City ended up moving for Dias.

straight to your inboxFormer Manchester City midfielder Trevor Sinclair has compared the club's defensive partnership of John Stones and Ruben Dias to two Manchester United legends.City 's start to the season has been a slow burner but there have been signs of a significant upturn in the past few weeks, with victories over Chelsea in the Premier League and knocking United out of the Carabao Cup.

straight to your inboxWhen Manchester City's renaissance over the past month is analysed there are many factors to consider, but perhaps the most important is a player who often goes under the radar outside of the Etihad, but is invaluable to his manager and teammates.In the story of a month that has reasserted City as favourites for the Premier League title and the best footballing team in the country, the continued brilliance of Kevin De Bruyne has taken headlines, while Ruben Dias and John

straight to your inboxHard work is the key to Manchester City's newest defensive partnership, John Stones says.Stones has struck up a surprising partnership with summer signing Ruben Dias, establishing himself as first choice in Pep Guardiola's defence ahead of Aymeric Laporte, Nathan Ake and Fernandinho. The pair were superb in City's Carabao Cup semi-final win at Manchester United on Wednesday, with Stones scoring the first goal in a 2-0 win and Dias earning the Man of the Match award.

straight to your inboxRoy Keane believes that Manchester City's lack of intensity out of possession has led to their downturn in form this season and think they will regret not signing a striker in the summer.Pep Guardiola's side sit eighth in the Premier League table ahead of their clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Victory would take them above Chelsea and on to 29 points, four points behind Manchester United and Liverpool, with a game in hand.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola suggests that John Stones is the perfect partner for new signing Ruben Dias.The Manchester City manager added Dias to his defensive ranks from Benfica in the summer for a club record fee, offset by Nicolas Otamendi moving the other way.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola suggested that the financial consequences of the pandemic will prevent Manchester City from buying a striker in the January transfer window.The Blues were interested in signing a forward in summer but with money being used elsewhere to strengthen to defence - Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake arrived at a combined cost of more than £100m - and the club making a conscious effort to keep net spend down the decision was taken not to add another marquee forward.Sergio

straight to your inboxRodri became the first outfield player for Manchester City to pass 1,500 minutes played this season during the draw with West Bromwich Albion.Pep Guardiola has made a point in recent weeks of saying that his squad have to perform well every game if they are to keep their place in the team, with John Stones and Ruben Dias examples of individuals that have risen to Guardiola's challenge.Rodri, signed from Atletico last summer for what was then a club record fee of £62.8m, has

straight to your inboxIlkay Gundogan admits Manchester City are struggling to meet the high expectations placed upon them this season.City were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by lowly West Bromwich Albion in Tuesday night's Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium.Gundogan put Pep Guardiola's men ahead in the first half but a Ruben Dias own goal earned the Baggies a share of the spoils.City have failed to hit the heights they have shown themselves capable of in recent years so far this

straight to your inboxAlan Shearer has bemoaned Manchester City's lack of firepower - but is not writing them off just yet. Pep Guardiola's men were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by struggling West Bromwich Albion at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night.

direct to your inboxJohn Stones is not carrying an injury despite missing Manchester City's Premier League game with West Brom. The 26-year-old has fought his way back into the team after two years of injuries and personal issues preventing him from holding down a regular place, and started alongside Ruben Dias for the Manchester derby as they notched another clean sheet.

straight to your inboxRaheem Sterling has insisted Manchester City have coped with the loss of Vincent Kompany and David Silva in the dressing room and named Ruben Dias and Kevin De Bruyne as players who have stepped into those roles. Two of City's greatest ever players have left the Etihad Stadium in the last two summers, with Silva moving to Real Sociedad after 10 years in England, whilst Kompany joined Anderlecht as player-manager.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola hailed a good point for Manchester City in the Premier League against Manchester United. The Blues played out a dull derby draw at Old Trafford that leaves them a point behind their neighbours and five off the top of the Premier League table after 11 matches.