Pep Guardiola likens 'undroppable' Man City ace Ruben Dias to Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk (Image: GETTY)
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says Ruben Dias is the perfect football machine and compared his impact to Liverpool's signing of Virgil van Dijk.
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The City boss has been impressed with how quickly Dias has got up to Premier League speed since his £61million summer signing from Benfica.
But he said it should be no surprise given the obsessive high standards set by the defender since his arrival in Manchester.
"He's settled immediately. In terms of mentality and he's a guy who lives 24 hours for his profession," said Guardiola ahead of City's trip to Burnley.
"Every step he does, at home, on or off the pitch – eating, sleeping, recovering time, preparation time – everything is to be perfect during this 95-minute football game.
Pep Guardiola likens 'undroppable' Man City ace Ruben Dias to Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk (Image: GETTY)
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Guardiola added: "When that happens, it's difficult for me and he makes himself undroppable."
Dias has made a huge difference to City’s defences and has established a solid partnership with the resurgent John Stones.
In the Premier League City have the meanest back line in the top flight and Dias has helped to keep 12 clean sheets in 18 matches.
In all competitions City have 17 shutouts in the 25 matches in which Dias has started.
Guardiola added of City's form after 12 straight wins across all competitions: "Six weeks ago we were not contenders for anything, six weeks later we are. Everything can change so quick.
"We could drop points. Only I am concerned about Burnley. That's all.
"When you start to think about the next game you can drop points. All I am concerned about is Sean Dyche's team, making a good selection and winning the game."
Man City predicted XI vs Burnley (4-3-3):Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Zinchenko; Gundogan, Rodri, Bernardo; Mahrez, Jesus, Foden.