Ruben Dias crowned Premier League ‘Player of the Season’

Manchester City defender, Ruben Dias, has been crowned the 2020/21 Premier League Player of the Season.
The Portuguese centre-back follows in the footsteps of his City teammate, Kevin De Bruyne, who claimed the award in 2019/20.

Dias who only joined Pep Guardiola’s team in September 2020 became pivotal to Man City’s third Premier League title in four years.

Dias is only the fourth defender in history to be named Player of the Season, emulating Manchester United’s Nemanja Vidic, former City captain Vincent Kompany and Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk.

He is also only the second Portuguese player to win the award, after Cristiano Ronaldo for Man Utd in 2006/07 and 2007/08.

“The 24-year-old fitted seamlessly into Pep Guardiola’s side and emerged as a leader at the back as City went on a 15-match winning streak, the fourth-longest such run in Premier League history,” a statement from the league read.

Dias contributed to 15 clean sheets, winning 23 of his 32 matches played and making 35 interceptions, 24 tackles, 23 blocks and 135 recoveries.

He also helped City win the EFL Cup and reach the UEFA Champions League final.

Dias’ win caps a prestigious awards hat-trick for City with Pep Guardiola having been named as Premier League Manager of the Season and Phil Foden confirmed as Premier League Young Player of the Season.