John Stones and Ruben Dias have been compared to Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand by former Manchester City winger Trevor Sinclair.
The duo have formed an imperious partnership for City, with the Blues conceding just one goal in the last four matches they've started alongside one another in a much-improved defence for Pep Guardiola's side.
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Dias, a club-record £62 million signing from Benfica, looks like he has been at City for years and the 23-year-old's leadership and organisation qualities have been invaluable.
Stones, meanwhile, looked well on his way of the Etihad Stadium after falling out of favour due to injuries and loss of form but fought for his place and is playing so well that Aymeric Laporte can't get a look in.
Praising Stones and Dias, former England international Sinclair reckons the pairing is similar to Vidic and Ferdinand's understanding on the pitch.
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"It's been outstanding," Sinclair said on talkSPORT.
"It kind of reminds me of when Vidic and Rio were together - one of them would make a block and they'd high five each other.
"It just seems they've got that kind of relationship and chemistry where they respect each other.
"They look like they're a really good contrast of players; one of them wants to head the ball, Ruben Dias is a really good talker and John Stones' stats... he's played eight, won seven and drawn one and lost none.
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"He's got 93.4 per cent pass accuracy - that's number one in the league - and this season he's played 10, won nine, drawn one and lost none. When he's not in the starting XI, they've played 15, won eight, drawn five, lost two.
"It's there in black and white. It's great, he's had difficult times and been in the media for the wrong reasons, he's been dropped from the England squad but he seems to have got his life together and it's back together on the pitch.
"This is what we knew we [Man City] were buying. Everyone knew he had the potential to play like this and for me this is the best football he's been playing in his career."
The comparison with Vidic and Ferdinand, multiple time Premier League winners with Manchester United, does make sense stylistically as both pairings have a balanced blend of a ball-playing centre-back and one who just loves defending.
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City appear to have finally found their Vincent Kompany replacement in Dias, who has even surprised Guardiola with how impressive he's been on and off the pitch.
"When you buy players always you have this quality but you never know what is going to happen," the City boss said, as per The Independent.
"He is a guy that can play every three days. He recovers immediately and his ability is incredible, as is his understanding of the game.
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"He wants to learn and all of us were impressed how he takes care of his body and mind, every day. We were surprised a lot.
"The day after (a game) - 8.30 in the morning in the gym. He makes his routine, he eats perfectly. He lives 24 hours for his profession.
"I can assure you that we signed one incredible player for the next five, six, seven years. That is not easy to find."
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Manchester City, Football News, Football, Manchester United, Ruben Dias, John Stones
