Why Ruben Dias would be a long-term leader for Tottenham’s defence
Reports from 90min (h/t The Sun) suggest that Jose Mourinho wants Ruben Dias as one of his first signings at Tottenham Hotspur and has asked Jorge Mendes to keep him informed about the player.
The Telegraph states that Mourinho is an admirer of the youngster and is keen to bring his compatriot to Tottenham. But it also mentions that the boss is aware of the fact that other European teams are keeping tabs.
Since taking charge of Tottenham, the Portuguese coach has been instructed to work with the present bunch of players and bringing in reinforcements in January is unlikely to happen as they have no cash to spend, according to the Guardian.
Tottenham are severely short of back-up options for their defence. Jan Vertonghen has missed most of the matches due to injuries. His age is another key factor as to why Spurs must shuffle their backline.
Toby Alderweireld has featured in 12 league games so far but his contract ends in the summer. The same is the case with Vertonghen’s contract.
The Belgian duo has been a mainstay in Spurs’ defence for many years. However, they are both in the twilight of their careers.
Davinson Sanchez was brought in a back-up but he hasn’t been consistent with his performances.
Youngster Juan Foyth seemed to start well before he became the victim of an injury. He was out for 3 months but since his return, the Argentine has found it hard to cement a place in the starting line-up.
In this aspect, Ruben Dias has all the tools to lead Tottenham’s defence in the future. Dias came through the ranks of Benfica’s youth system and has featured in 102 games for the Portuguese outfit.
His stellar performances for Benfica earned him a call-up to the national squad and he has been a consistent member in Fernando Santos’ squad. Due to his recent solid performances, Benfica boss Bruno Lage even handed him the captain’s armband on a few occasions.
Dias’ numbers are proof of his quality. According to Whoscored, he has registered an average of 1.5 tackles, 1.2 interceptions and 2.3 clearances per game in the Liga NOS this season. These numbers are no mean feat for a 22-year-old and the Portuguese seems to be improving each day.
At 6ft 1in, Dias has shown the strength and character of a modern-day defender. In addition, he passes the ball with an 89.2% accuracy.
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Verdict
Even if Dias can be acquired only in the summer, it would be worth the wait for Mourinho and Tottenham.
Dias has proven to be a leader at the back and if Spurs manage to secure his services, they would not just have a defender but also a future leader.