Ruben Dias exclusive: Margin for error 'as small as it can get' as Manchester City seek 'special' Premier League title

Manchester City defender Ruben Dias says the margin for error is "as small as it can get" as they chase a record fourth consecutive Premier League title.

No team has won four Premier League titles back to back before, while City are also still in contention to complete another treble after making history last year.

After the weekend’s goalless draw between City and Arsenal, Liverpool lead the Premier League by two points from the Gunners, with City three back and each team having played 29 matches.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Dias said he had "mixed feelings" about the stalemate against Arsenal.

“Obviously we wanted the three points and it frustrated us not to get the win. We have to look forward now and we look forward," Dias said ahead of City's upcoming game with Aston Villa on Wednesday, April 3, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

"We’re very close to the spot in which we want to finish, so keep focused and think about one game at a time.

“There are three favourites and the rest is guessing and making conversation in my mind. The three teams can do it and we will see who is the most consistent. It’s all about that.”

With City’s recent track record of dominance, Dias hopes their experience of winning will give them the edge in the all-important run-in.

“Hopefully it will make a difference. We’ve been in these situations before. It’s not easy to keep the consistency, especially in a time like this, with a schedule as busy as ours will be.

“But it’s what we want and what’s separating us from something very special. We will pursue it as much as we can.

“That’s why we want to be here and to do it again, precisely because of how difficult it looks.”

Discussing the chance to win four titles in a row, the defender said City are motivated by achieving something unprecedented.

“We are definitely very happy, with everything we’ve achieved and with the opportunity of doing it again, doing something special that no one has ever done," he said.

"Now it’s about staying alive, staying in competitions. Keeping the consistency and then at the end we will see."

Last season was a battle between Arsenal and City, but in Jurgen Klopp’s final season at Anfield, the fight for the Premier League title is even tougher.

Dias admitted the margin for error is “as small as it can get. Champions League: you lose, you’re out. FA Cup: you lose, you’re out. Premier League: you lose, you don’t eat.

“There are a lot of games to play, but we know it’s a very fine margin. We like it, we love it, we are used to living with it. We know to win, you have to get comfortable with the fine margins. So, let them come.”

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