Manchester City are one of the greatest teams on the planet and Manuel Pellegrini’s side boasts talented footballers all over the field. Earlier this summer, England international Raheem Sterling joined the club from Liverpool for an estimated fee of £49 million while many are suggesting that Wolfsburg’s Kevin de Bruyne could also move to the Etihad Stadium before the transfer window closes. The Belgian was voted Bundesliga Player of the Year last season and is widely regarded as one of Europe’s elite attacking talents.
However, City’s biggest move – and one that could secure them the Premier League title this season – is Nicolas Otamendi. According to reports, the Valencia central defender is set to join Pellegrini’s side for around £40 million despite interest from rivals Manchester United throughout the summer. Otamendi is arguably the best centre-back in the world and, on current form, would form a destructive partnership with Vincent Kompany at the heart of the defence. City’s defenders were heavily criticised last season and the addition of Otamendi would only increase competition for places at the Etihad this campaign. You can keep up-to-date with all the latest transfer news and gossip via bluesq, as well as checking out the latest tips and offers on football and other sports.
Otamendi is strong, aggressive and most importantly, consistent. The Argentina international played a pivotal role in Valencia’s success last season, making 74 tackles, 111 interceptions, 267 clearances and 28 blocks over the course of the campaign. As impressive as these figures are, they are even more so when you directly compare his performance against the rest of La Liga. Otamendi made the fourth most interceptions, whilst he blocked the most shots and made the most clearances in Spain’s top flight last term.
In theory, he will provide stability and reliability to a shaky defensive unit. Although Eliaquim Mangala has produced two impressive performances at the beginning of the new season, Otamendi is a class above. Mangala is just 24-years-old, while Otamendi and Kompany are 27 and 29 respectively – his time will come. Statistically, the Argentinian ranks above the Frenchman in almost every department and Otamendi’s ability to adapt to new cultures and surroundings will help him to settle quickly into English football.
Manchester United may rue their missed opportunity to sign Otamendi earlier this summer. Reports suggested that the 13-time Premier League champions were set to meet Valencia’s valuation for the centre-back but talk went quiet after Otamendi struggled in the Copa America. Now that he is set to sign for archrivals City, however, their supporters are beginning to question Louis van Gaal’s decision to pass on Otamendi.
Otamendi to City is pure negligence from Ed and LVG. He is the top quality CB that is going to win City the league. Real shame. #mufc #mcfc
— Hashbrown (@hesham786) August 16, 2015
If Vincent Kompany can regain his form and fitness, then City will stand a real chance of competing in the Champions League this season – that’s how good the signing of Otamendi is. In previous years, City have struggled to progress in European football – largely due to the lack of a serious presence alongside Kompany in the centre of defence – but that could all change now. Otamendi’s reliability will appeal to Manuel Pellegrini and City’s supporters may start to feel confident of their ability to keep clean sheets away from home against the continent’s elite clubs. However, reclaiming the Premier League title will remain – for the time being at least – City’s number one priority and Otamendi will be relishing the challenge of English football.
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