Manchester City had a rough day at the office as they lost 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium, courtesy of goals from Brennan Johnson and Joao Palhinha.
Ahead of the contest, Pep Guardiola’s men were the favourites to come out on top after their impressive 4-0 win against Wolves.
However, Manchester City were far from their best against Tottenham, with Thomas Frank’s relentless press rendering them helpless for much of the game.
For Palhinha’s strike, James Trafford seemed to be caught in sixes and sevens as he mindlessly played a pass to Rico Lewis under pressure, which lead to a very soft goal.
Individual mistakes did not help the hosts’ case at the Etihad Stadium, with Manchester City fans slating Ruben Dias’ showing against Spurs as he lost the aerial duel in the build-up to Johnson’s goal.
Ruben Dias needs to be dropped after dismal showing during Man City vs Tottenham
While Ruben Dias has been a rock at the back for a majority of his time at Manchester City, it is high time Pep Guardiola drops him after the 28-year-old underwhelmed once again versus Tottenham.
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Defensively, the Portuguese international had his fair share of struggles, especially in the air — with Mohammed Kudus coming out on top twice against him; both for the opening goal and when his misplaced header put the Ghanaian through on goal.
Even last season, Dias, who Rodri dubbed “special” did not cover himself in glory when contesting aerial battles, famously misjudging a relatively simple header to gift Kylian Mbappe a goal at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Ruben Dias contesting an aerial duel with Richarlison during Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur
Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images
However, on the ball as well, the Manchester City vice-captain disappointed against Tottenham.
The former Benfica colossus often resorted to going long and struggled to break the lines, with the defender especially having trouble progressing the ball with his weaker left foot.
The stats back up how much of a hard time the four-time Premier League winner had in possession.
RUBEN DIAS STATS VS TOTTENHAM
GOALS CONCEDED 2
POSSESSION LOST 6
INTERCEPTIONS 1
TOTAL TACKLES 2
Losing the ball six times, Dias, who recently extended his contract had a tough afternoon and questions need to be posed about whether youngsters like Abdukodir Khusanov or Josko Gvardiol should start instead of him.
Where Man City rank Ruben Dias among the Premier League’s best centre-backs
Dias still remains a top player and by no means should that no longer be the consensus after his shoddy display for Manchester City against Tottenham.
However, since last season, the decorated centre-back has had a tough time in the heart of City’s defence and for the collective’s sake, meritocracy must be rewarded.
Manchester City News revealed Pep Guardiola’s side have full faith in Dias and believe he is the Premier League’s best centre-half, which could suggest he will retain his starting berth against Brighton next week.