The Portuguese central defender has made a big impact since his move to City from Benfica at the end of September, impressing with his defensive acumen, physical power and distribution.
For his part, the 23-year-old says he has been grateful for the support of his team mates along with the advice and input from manager Pep Guardiola and the City coaching staff.
And with the likes of Aymeric Laporte, John Stones, Nathan Ake and Eric Garcia also vying for places, Dias believes the quality of City’s central defensive unit – and the winning mentality engendered by Guardiola - has helped ensure he strives to attain the highest standards week in, week out.
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“Obviously, he (Pep) encourages that if we play well, we are so much closer to winning,” Dias asserted.
“After that, you need to have your own good game to be in the team because in this club, in this team, you have two or three top players for each position.
“So, for you to play you need to be at your very best.
“Even though you are perfect sometimes you really need to keep going more and more because, fortunately, we have such quality players in the group and it also helps us that all of us are so good, it helps us be better.
“I think that’s the mentality of the club. That’s the mentality of the coach and everyone wants to suffer.
“I think that’s a winning mentality.”
Dias could be a key figure again on Saturday when City resume Premier League with a tough trip away to third-placed Southampton.
Guardiola’s squad will step out at the St Mary’s Stadium seeking a return to winning ways after successive draws against Manchester United and West Brom.
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And Dias says the players are itching to channel their frustrations into ensuring we try and secure a positive result on the South Coast.
“Obviously, in this club and where I come from, winning is the only option but we know that a point is always a point, and it’s not the worst scenario. Sometimes it happens,” Dias added.
“We just want to win, and you have to have the stomach to know that when it doesn’t happen, you’ve just got to keep going.
“Obviously, we were so frustrated, especially after the home game, but it will be a decision of where we want to be at the end, and these one points at the end might be important.
“At the end of it all, we are always going for the three [points] and the ability, after a one or a zero, to go after three again and again.
“I think that’s the spirit that can make you a champion.”
The tight tussle for supremacy at the top of the league during the first third of the season, along with the many unpredictable results so far, has merely further emphasised the ultra-competitive nature of the Premier League.
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From his own point of view, Dias says the eye-catching results and quality of all the sides in the top flight have confirmed that he is experiencing what he terms ‘the purest’ football possible
“I would consider that being the beauty of the Premier League because you play whoever, and they’re just going to try and win it,” Dias continued.
“Obviously, you have different teams, different styles. But in general, every team can win a game. I think that’s the beauty of it.
“You’re watching a game and you might even not be watching a team from the top five, top ten, and you’re still watching a good game!
“That for me was the thing that I wanted the most; to have that feeling that I was in the right spot here. It’s pure, the purest football that might exist.
“I’m just really happy to be here.”
We will have full coverage of Saturday’s game against Southampton right here on ManCity.com.
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