‘Have to say yes’ – BBC pundit claims Ruben has had as big an ‘impact’ as Van Dijk

BBC pundit Jemaine Jenas believe Ruben Dias is having the same effect on Manchester City as Virgil van Dijk’s influence when he arrived at Liverpool.

The former Benfica defender has instantly strengthened a City defence making them the division’s best defense, recording 13 clean sheets in his 24 league appearances.

Central to such solidity have of course been Dias and resurgent John Stones. But the Portuguese has been the dominant half of the partnership, helping Pep Guardiola’s men establish a 14-point gap at the top of the Premier League table.

His performances have drawn praise from several quarters with Jenas joining the party to shower praise on the Portuguese, comparing him to Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk.

“We’d have to say yes,” Jenas said on the latest episode of the Football Daily podcast when asked whether the Portugal international performances have had as big an impact at Man City compared to that of Van Dijk at Liverpool.

” I mean, the numbers that you’ve just said to me are, you know, are elite-level numbers. But bigger than that, I think the word impact, it’s exactly that. I think when a player like Van Dijk arrived at Liverpool; he transformed them totally into a different team.

“There were players that arrived before Van Dijk, and whether that was Salah, Mane, Firmino, other players that were already there, his arrival made it all happen, essentially.

“And we’ve seen, you know, within this conversation that we had earlier about this current Liverpool team. You know, what do they need? Will it be the return of Van Dijk? Will it be someone at the top end of the pitch that can have that type of impact?

“Well, Ruben Dias did that for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City. And yeah, I suppose the answer to your question is yes, he has had a huge impact on that football club.”