As a result of Ruben Dias’ outstanding performance during his debut season with Manchester City, the Football Writers Association (FWA) has awarded him the title of Footballer of the Year.

According to the Football Writers’ Association (FWA), Ruben Dias, who plays center back for Manchester City, has been selected as the Footballer of the Year.

The prize was won by Dias, who was signed from Benfica the previous year. He was able to beat out his teammate Kevin De Bruyne and the talisman of Tottenham, Harry Kane. He was one of nine players from Pep Guardiola’s championship-winning club that were featured on the shortlist. The City contingent accounted for more than half of the votes that were cast.

During the current Premier League season, the 24-year-old defender has been responsible for a defense that has allowed only 32 goals to be scored against them. This makes him the first defender to win the trophy since Steve Nicol in 1989. 

It is also noteworthy that he is only the third player in the history of England to win the award in his first season there, following in the footsteps of Jurgen Klinsmann and Gianfranco Zola, who did it in 1995 and 1997, respectively.

Dias has not only been instrumental in City’s five-time attempt to win the Premier League title, but he has also been instrumental in City’s victory in the English Football League Cup (the fourth time in a row) and their advancement to the Champions League final, which will be played against Chelsea in Porto on May 29.

“Ruben Dias belied his age with fortitude, steel, a relentless drive for perfection, and an almost superhuman ability to read and anticipate phases of play,” observed Carrie Brown, chair of the Football Writers Association (FWA). “Ruben Dias turned heads soon after his arrival in Manchester.”

The FWA Footballer of the Year award is not something that can be won solely by a player, despite the fact that this is a noteworthy accomplishment. A player who is deemed to be the footballer of the year “by precept and example” is the recipient of the award that was recommended by Charles Buchan, one of our founding members. This award is intended to recognize and congratulate the player.

A fresh acquisition has never landed on one of Pep Guardiola’s already trophy-laden teams and exerted such an influence. Pep Guardiola is able to enhance players and shape them, but this has never happened before.

“Dias has demanded the greatest standards, which has resulted in the quickest of opportunities for success, not only for Dias himself, but also for his teammates to his left, right, front, and center.

“Perhaps, in this of all seasons, Dias is the leader we all need.”

Dias has made 31 league appearances for City this season, providing assistance to Guardiola’s team in maintaining 14 clean sheets. This places him in second place among Premier League defenders, behind only Matt Targett of Aston Villa, who has 15 clean sheets.

It is impossible to find a teammate in the back who has made more headed clearances than the Portugal international, who has made 47. His total of 88 clearances places him in first place among City defenders.

His remarkable success percentage of 56.5 percent, together with his duel success rate of 59.3 percent, places him in fourth place among City defenders in terms of the number of tackles he has attempted (23).

Dias has won 61 of the 98 aerial duels that he has participated in, making him the City defender with the most duels. So far, he has only scored one goal in the league.

When Manchester City hosts Everton at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, Dias will have the opportunity to play in front of the fans of his own club for the very first time when he does so.