Lille defender Jose Fonte isn't surprised by the success of Portugal teammate Ruben Dias at Manchester City.
Dias has been outstanding for the Premier League leaders since his summer arrival from Benfica.
Dias and Fonte play together at the back for Portugal and the latter admits he has long believed his national teammate would be well suited to the Premier League. Fonte, a former Southampton captain and West Ham United stopper, knows plenty about the demands of English football. And he was long convinced Dias would thrive at Manchester City under manager Pep Guardiola.
Fonte told Maisfutebol via TMW: "Ruben Dias's impact? To tell the truth, it didn't surprise me. I have always seen Ruben as an interesting player for (Pep) Guardiola.
"For his personality, seriousness, and also for his quality, of course. But above all for how focused he is, he is a defender who rarely fails, with quality even in passing, very strong in duels. This was what Manchester City needed."
Now a first-choice for City manager Pep Guardiola, Dias has played 39 times for the Premier League leaders, scoring twice. City are alive in all four competitions this season.
Dias came through the junior and youth system at Benfica, spending 12 years with the Portuguese giants before landing his move to City last summer.
- updated March 16
