Ex-City defender Dunne backs Ruben Dias for the team's captaincy

As per

Richard Dunne

, Ruben Dias quickly becomes a "real captaincy candidate" at Etihad Stadium. 

Dias joined the Cityzens from Benfica for £65 million ($90 million) the previous summer, and the Portuguese repaid the club's economic investment with his skill by playing a crucial part in the club's march to a sixth

championship. 

Dias formed a strong defensive pair with

John Stones

as Pep Guardiola's men finished with the most excellent defensive record in the league, and Dunne feels Dias has the potential to reach even higher heights in the future years.

After the club's 4-0 pre-season friendly success against Barnsley on Saturday, the ex-City defender picked Dias out for special admiration, supporting him to assume the captain's armband at Etihad Stadium if he maintains his present pace. 

"He'll be looking to start the season well, continue to progress because as a center back there was nobody near him last season," Dunne told the club's 

.

"You'd imagine he's settled in and feels more comfortable, so he can improve again. It's very important he starts well and continues the form from last season.

"The other players will know him and understand what he's good and what to expect, so let's hope that continues. Although he's still very young, he's got that stature and aura about him. Looking ahead, I think he could be a real captaincy candidate going forward in the next few years."

Dias made 50 matches in all tournaments for Man City in his first season, scoring one goal. 

The 24-year-old assisted City win the

Carabao Cup

for the fourth time in a row and the Premier League title. He also won the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year and Premier League Player of the Year honors at the end of the season.

Since Vincent Kompany's departure at the end of the 2018-19 season, City's skipper has been Brazilian midfielder

Fernandinho

. The 36-year-old signed a new one-year contract in June that would keep him at Etihad Stadium until next summer, although Dias may take up the captaincy from his teammate if he is not kept beyond that.

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