Manchester City star wants club to ‘grow’ in clear message to teammates over ambition

Ruben Dias has stated that he wants to see Manchester City ‘grow’ further over the coming seasons, in a clear message of intent over ambition to his teammates.

The 26-year-old has won three consecutive Premier League titles since moving to the Etihad Stadium from Benfica in 2020, as well as lifting the UEFA Champions League, Emirates FA Cup, Carabao Cup, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

Dias has become an integral member of Pep Guardiola’s squad, making 43 appearances during Manchester City’s treble-winning campaign and featuring in 27 matches for the Sky Blues already this season.

The Portugal defender is pursuing further silverware this season, with City currently bidding to retain last season’s treble, as the Cityzens continue to compete in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.

Guardiola’s side have the chance to move to the top of the Premier League table with a win over Everton at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon, and also face FC Copenhagen next week in the last-16 of the Champions League.

Speaking to The National this week, Dias has emphasised his ambitions to continue Manchester City’s growth as an organisation through maintained success on the field, despite their historic treble-winning antics last season.

“We want this club to grow not just for a few seasons but for throughout time and the consistency with which we keep winning is what makes a club as big as it can be,” Dias explained.

He continued: “There’s nothing in our minds saying ‘We’ve won a treble, we are so good, it’s going to be easy now’. It is exactly the opposite, it’s going to be more difficult.

“There is going to be more hatred and more people trying to take us down and there are going to be more opponents. We take it as it is because this is the normal process of winning. We will be ready for it.”

Manchester City are currently amidst a major Premier League title race, with just two points separating the Blues, Liverpool and Arsenal, as well as both Tottenham and Aston Villa closely behind.

February could prove a decisive month for Dias and City’s silverware hopes, with another six matches across three competitions scheduled for Guardiola’s team.