Dias
KEEPS HIS PLACE – With Laporte out and his vocal characteristics, I expect Dias to keep his place in the starting XI. Another defender with a quiet game on the season opener.
95 passes, 7 clearances, 5 accurate long balls and the all-important clean sheet again illustrates dominance and control within the game. He seems to have started to form a more solid paring with Ake.
Ake
KEEPS HIS PLACE – The ex-cherry turned Manchester City player. He has been fantastic and impressing fans since the back end of last season. Solid every time he steps up to the plate.
As he spends more time in the starting XI, he continues to improve. Contributing to a clean sheet on Sunday with 106 passes, 4 recoveries, 4 accurate long balls, 4 duels won, and 0 duels lost. Took Bowen home in his pocket.