When Manchester City signed Argentine Nicolas Otamendi for £32m towards the end of August, it was intriguing to see where he would fit in. His pedigree was unquestionable, named in the 2014/15 La Liga Team of the Year, but the then current first choice centre-back partnership of Vincent Kompany and Eliaquim Mangala had begun the season in miserly fashion. Would he settle for playing second fiddle? As we approach the end of November, we appear to have an answer.
Opportunities were limited for Otamendi initially, a mixture of work permit issues and continued strong performance from those ahead of him. He eventually made his debut against Juventus, after Kompany was forced off with a suspected calf injury. It was a baptism of fire. A lack of match fitness told as the Italian champions snatched a late winner. With Kompany sidelined thereafter, opportunity knocked. Although City were beaten in Otamendi’s first two Premier League appearances, the Argentine showed glimpses of his class.
His game has continued to become stronger with each passing week, as he adapts to the rigours of the English game. Arguably, it is a style he is very much suited to. Gritty, physical and uncompromising, Otamendi has many attributes needed to be a success in a league that is so dissimilar to its European counterparts.
Not only is he in his element without the ball, he is also perfectly adept with it. Calm and composed in possession, Otamendi provides City with a different dimension going forward. Happy to carry the ball forward, and incisive with his passing from central defence, the former Valencia defender allows for the ball to be moved at a quicker pace. Mangala, and previously Lescott, perhaps both lack a bit of composure and poise when in possession, negating some of City’s threat and tempo in attack. This is a criticism that has been levelled at City in recent years, especially as defending champions.
Now, defence can become attack in three seconds, instead of 30. From a tactical perspective, Otamendi’s superior ability on the ball in comparison with previous partners for Vincent Kompany has helped him emerge as a serious contender to be just that on a permanent basis. An area of fragility for City in recent years, especially since the reign of Roberto Mancini ended, the emergence of a full-time partner for Kompany is an extremely welcome one. Undoubtedly City’s relative defensive frailties under Pellegrini have been in large part caused by the lack of a consistent central defensive partnership. Now they appear to have the perfect mix of rugged, no-nonsense defending and elegant, composed ball-players needed to be successful in the modern game – both domestically and continentally.
Although they have only played four games together, it is evident the stability the partnership has provided. A superb performance in Seville followed up by some strong defensive displays in the Premier League makes the prospect of facing City a little more formidable than it might have been last season. Everyone is aware of the attacking artillery Manchester City have, but less know about the bearded defensive shield they have recently acquired. It could just be, as is often the way with Football, that the most understated of signings in the summer could perhaps turn out to be the most important.
