Premier League 2019-20: 5 centre-backs Manchester City could target in January

#3 Ruben Dias (SL Benfica)

Ruben Dias could provide good competition for John Stones.

Ruben Dias is perhaps the best young centre-back to emerge from Portugal for a while now. He now looks to have outgrown the familiar environment at Benfica and seems ready for the step up to one of Europe's giants.

Calm and assured with an eye for a pass alongside good man-marking abilities, Dias’ confidence on the ball will work wonders for him if he ever makes the move to a bigger club.

He has added more physicality to his game in the last two seasons and has become difficult to push off the ball in recent times.

While Dias shares an innate sense of taking responsibility like the legendary Fernando Couto, he differs from the great man in his style of play. He is more aligned to the cultured style of players like Gerard Pique rather than the thou-shall-not-pass motto of contemporary Portuguese centre-backs like Pepe, Bruno Alves and Jose Fonte among others.

This makes him ideal for the City back-line, who need plenty of confidence in possession. Dias will come with a hefty cost given that he is now a full-fledged starter for Portugal.