Ruben Dias suggests what could be the reason behind Man City’s dismal season – but insists new signings are ‘starving’ to win back the title

Manchester City defender Ruben Dias has opened up on the club’s struggles this season. 

Pep Guardiola‘s side have endured a difficult campaign and are vying for a top-four spot having won an unprecedented fourth consecutive title last season. 

City were also knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid after struggling in the league phase of the competition. 

Dias says there’s ‘no need to panic’ and that their new January signings are ‘starving’ to win back the title. 

In an interview with the Telegraph, the Portuguese defender: ‘Maybe this season was a cost we had to go through because of all the emotion of the past years. 

‘It’s football and we take it gladly. There’s no need to panic. We know very well who we are and the only way forward is to keep on working.

Pep Guardiola’s side have endured a difficult campaign and are vying for a top-four spot

Dias says there’s ‘no need to panic’ and that City’s new signings are ‘starving’ to win back the title

‘This season was difficult so there was more than one time when we felt we needed to speak with each other but there’s also a time when you know what’s wrong and what has to improve so it’s time to go on the pitch and work harder than ever.

‘People will always want to take what’s yours, especially when we’ve conquered this much and we are the team we are. All the new signings come starving and they want to win. To be in a club like this, you want nothing else. You want people that are starving and want to win at all costs.

‘I’m 27 and I feel like I’ve a lot to give. Not because my age says so, but because my feeling and will says so. This is my fifth season and I still want to win so much.’

City’s hopes of securing Champions League football next season suffered a setback last week in a 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest. 

The defending champions currently sit fifth in the table and just one ahead of seventh-placed Brighton ahead of their clash on Saturday. 

Guardiola said on Friday: ‘If we are able to qualify for the Champions League, it would be a huge success from my point of view. There are seasons that you have to live that. 

‘It is in our hands, it depends on us and our behaviours and our football whether we will be there or not.’