Ruben Dias: Manchester City primed to peak at just the right time

Ruben Dias has told Manchester City's rivals to forget about winning any silverware this season as the defending English and European champions are about to embark on a trademark surge to glory.

Despite winning just one game in a six-game stretch through November and December, City are third in the Premier League, five points behind leaders Liverpool, with a game in hand.

Two wins from two since claiming the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia has helped them to make up ground in the title race and, according to Dias, given the squad a renewed focus heading into the second half of the Premier League campaign.

City, as so often has been the case in the past, are rounding into form at the right time as they look to repeat their historic treble – FA Cup, Premier League and UEFA Champions League – from last season.

“I think generally we are starting to feel ourselves again,” explained Dias. “After what we did last season, we had to come down to earth and realise the small things that allowed us to do what we did before.

“We are more and more back on track. The moment you relax, a drop-off comes out of nowhere. There are still a lot of flights to have and there is a lot of work to be done.

“February is when the real things start. Obviously, you have to have put yourself in position to be there to feel that pressure. But in the end that’s when the real decisions start to be made. If you get to February in a good position in the league and still in every competition, then the big games come up fast.

“I like that feeling of playing under that pressure. If you are going to win something then you are going to be in uncomfortable places and under pressure on occasions. Even if you have won a lot before, it doesn’t matter at all because