Jose Mourinho has reportedly identified Ruben Dias as his top target to add to his centre-back options, as Football London details.
And the Benfica defender sounds like exactly what we need according to a testimony from one of the club’s great modern-day defenders.
“Ruben is like me,” Carlos Mozer, a 32-cap Brazilian who won league titles and reached a Champions League final with Benfica, told Sport TV.
“Ruben is fearless and tough, he is criticised for no reason. He is very honest and doesn’t go into tackles looking to hurt someone.”
Although Jan Vertonghen is out of contract in the summer and Juan Foyth might also move on for more game time, we wouldn’t be short of numbers at centre-back. Toby Alderweireld, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez and Japhet Tanganga would be enough bodies at least to take us through next season.
What is missing from that unit is someone to lead it, and Dias sounds like the right sort of character to do that. The 22-year-old has already captained Benfica and has a level of professional experience far beyond his years.
If we can afford to get Dias in – Football London understands he has an £80m release clause but is valued at closer to £40m, he could be our new defensive lynchpin for whom we already have a number of good partners.
How’s he out of our leagu£ at 22? No money spinner is out of our league
Sadly he is out of our league.Very good player,but Levy won’t spend the money.We should be more realistic with our targets.Somebody like Lewis Dunk is probably within our range,strong defender and obviously knows the PL.