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Manchester City defender Rúben Dias has implored anyone daring enough to write off his side's chances at winning the Premier League title this season to do so, saying it only adds to their motivation.
City suffered a 2-1 defeat at Brighton on Saturday taking their losing run to four games -- the longest in Pep Guardiola's managerial career -- leaving them five points behind leaders Liverpool.
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Dias, speaking outside British Parliament's House of Lords as part of an anti-bullying campaign, told reporters that City have been through difficult spells but they will always have a chance to win silverware due to the squad's character.
When asked if this is the toughest period of his City career, Dias said: "Difficult to say. Last season we had a tough period around the same time before Christmas ... even the treble season. I think when we did the treble, we even call it [as a joke] the dark January. We had a tough period over then.
"Always what matters is how you bounce back from these moments, and that's why our team has won so much because in moments of difficulty, the characters come up and we stay together.
"We don't find people to kill. We find people to bring into the cause and fight together and that's what we need to do once again."
Dias has enjoyed a trophy-laden career at City since he joined in 2020. Under Guardiola, he has been a part of four Premier League title triumphs and has lifted the Champions League, among other trophies.
Ruben Dias sustained an injury against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup. Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
This season has been less promising so far, with City already out of the Carabao Cup and under pressure not to let Liverpool extend their already-healthy league lead.
"It's our legacy at stake," Dias said. "Even though we've won so much, it's very easy to choose to relax and just accept it. Accept the fact that we've done enough. But you've only done enough when you're finished and we're all very aware of it and we all want to keep pushing."
When asked what he would say to anyone thinking about writing off City's chances at the league title, Dias was definitive.
"Please doubt us," he said.
The Portugal defender has not played since he exited City's Carabao Cup defeat to Tottenham at half-time. The injury was described as a muscular injury, and he revealed on Monday that it is a calf issue, although he hopes to be back for City's next game -- against Spurs on Nov. 23 -- after the international break.
Shortly after speaking to reporters, Dias made an appearance at the House of Lords to help tackle the issue of bullying, becoming a patron of the Anti-Bullying Association.
"My biggest drive was the word respect," he said when describing why he wanted to be a part of the cause.
"The word kindness as well, but mainly respect. I think when you put together anti-bullying with respect, it makes perfect sense. If there's a starting point and an end point, that's the word I would choose."
He added that he hopes his involvement can help reduce bullying in schools.
"I still don't have kids, but hopefully one day I will," he said. "And you start to think, when should I give it a phone? Should I even give him a phone? These things are worrying. The more you think about them, the more worrying they get."
Source: espn.co.uk