Why Ruben Dias to Tottenham would be a brilliant move
According to The Express, Benfica star Ruben Dias is a target for Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho. The report suggests that Mourinho’s revolution of his squad will start from the back but Tottenham could face tough competition for Dias, who is also wanted by Liverpool and Manchester City.
Ruben Dias, 22, has established himself as one of Europe’s best defenders after two incredible seasons in Portugal. He lifted the Primeira Liga title with Benfica last season and was arguably one of the best players for Portugal as they beat the Netherlands in the inaugural UEFA Nations League final.
He has carried his strong form into this season, helping Benfica sit comfortably on top of the Liga NOS table. He has managed 22 appearances across all competitions, scoring 2 goals and providing one assist.
Though Benfica failed to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League this season, Dias put in some terrific performances. Due to his recent impressive displays, Bruno Lage also handed him the captain’s armband on a few occasions. And therefore, the Lilywhites must test Benfica’s resolve with a bid for the defender.
Tottenham have recovered brilliantly after a slow start to the 2019/20 campaign. They have been brilliant in Europe, advancing to the knockout stages of the Champions and are slated to face Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.
All said and done, Mourinho should make a couple of additions in the summer to bring a balance in the defensive unit.
Tottenham have been uncharacteristically poor at the back this season, with Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Davinson Sanchez failing to carry on the good form of last season. They have already conceded 32 goals in the league, which is more than the likes of Sheffield United, Leicester City and Manchester United.
Alderweireld seems to have slowed down and Vertonghen has been out of favour under the new manager. The latter is also yet to renew his contract, which is set to expire at the end of the season. Sanchez hasn’t been at his best and since Juan Foyth’s return from injury, he has struggled for game time.
That being said, Dias would be a brilliant addition to the squad. He has been a regular for Benfica over the last five seasons. He has also earned 17 caps for Portugal, which is no mean feat for a 22-year-old.
Dias’ numbers are proof of his quality. He has averaged 1.2 tackles, 1 interception and 3 clearances per game in the league this season, according to Whoscored. In addition, he has passed the ball with 89.3% accuracy.
Read more
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- Why Tottenham should avoid signing Rafael Camacho in the summer
- Why a new contract for Japhet Tanganga is a good move by Tottenham
Verdict
Dias has proven to be a leader at the back for Benfica and if Tottenham manage to secure his services, they would not just have a defender but also a future leader in their ranks.
