‘Media hates us’ – Some Man City fans accused the media for not giving enough credit to Ruben Dias compared to Virgil van Dijk

Many Manchester City supporters have claimed the media is not giving enough credit to Ruben Dias who according to them has had a much greater impact at their club compared to Virgil van Dijk had when he arrived at Liverpool.

City decided to splash the cash on a new defender over the summer, spending a huge £62 million to sign Dias from Benfica. Some were bemused with that decision, but Man City have been proven right so far, with the Portuguese international turning in some huge displays since his arrival.

The former Benfica defender has instantly strengthened a City defence making them the division’s best defensive record in the Premier League with just 13 goals in 18 games thus far.

Central to such solidity have of course been Dias and resurgent John Stones. They struck up a positive partnership, which has given confidence to the ball-playing England international to rediscove his spark in 2020-21.

The 23-year-old has done brilliantly since he arrived at City, with a City fan pointing out that his stats in his first 23 games are way above what the more experienced Van Dijk achieved in his first 23 games for Liverpool.

According to the statistics, Dias conceded just nine goals as City have kept 15 clean sheets, while VVD conceded 24 goals and kept 10 clean sheets.

Wonder why the Media is quiet on this one ? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Ctmhmo6tVL

— Kevin Parker (@KevinP184) January 25, 2021

Some Man City fans in reaction to the statistics has been accusing the media for hating and having an agenda towards the club.

The media have a a City agenda

— Arnav Gupta (@King_Kevin100) January 25, 2021

England Media will neva support City, cos it's not part of their traditional big clubs

— Emmanuel Chinonso💎💰 (@Iamnonso_emmy) January 25, 2021

They only open their mouths when they have to highlight the amount of money we have spent. They never talk about the impact those players have had.
Dias, Stones, Cancelo, Rodri all look like strong signings!

— Sarang Jain (@_SarangJ) January 25, 2021

Media hates us. So let's make them hate us even more

— CenturionsFC (@Adi__Gujjar) January 25, 2021

All the praise for VVD was just one big media circlejerk, not to say he isn’t a brilliant defender or he didn’t make a huge impact but it’s all pushed based on engagement. Whether we like it or not, articles on Liverpool get a higher engagement than ones on City.

— . (@Likethemints) January 25, 2021

For fans to suggest he’s better than van Dijk, it’s very unfair to compare both defender on their opening 23 games for their new clubs.

Van Dijk also hit the ground running, with the dutch defender being credited with transforming Liverpool’s previously leaky defence when he signed in January 2018 for £75 million from Southampton.

He also transformed Liverpool, and ever since he became the lynchpin of the backline, Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold had the confidence to develop into the world’s best fullbacks.

Van Dijk’s absence with a serious ACL injury has undoubtedly had a hugely damaging impact on Liverpool’s season. The 29-year-old is a superb all-round defender but also a leader and organizer who makes all of Liverpool’s backline better.

It would perhaps be fairer for City fans to not analyze Dias and Van Dijk’s influence at this point. One thing that is clear is that the Portuguese centre-back has shown already that he will be a future great in his position.