In March, the battle for "Valencia" defender Nicolas Otamendi was finally won by the English vice champions "Manchester City". We invite you to get to know the new defensive star of the Premier League up close.
Facts
Name: Nicolas Otamendi
Age: 27
Main position: Center-back
Former clubs: "Velez Sarsfield" (1995-2010), "Porto" (2010-14), "Valencia" (2014-15), "Atletico Mineiro" (2014, loan)
Country: Argentina (25 matches for the national team, 1 goal)
How he moved to Manchester
In Valencia, N. Otamendi spent only one season, but he was so impressive that the Argentine quickly drew the attention of big and wealthy clubs. The biggest battle was between the eternal rivals "Manchester United" and "Manchester City" clubs.
The latter ultimately won the battle. The nearly 32 million pounds paid by the "citizens" for N. Otamendi is more than three times the amount that "Porto" paid to "Valencia" just over a year and a half ago.
Sky Sports television expert Guillem Balague selected N. Otamendi for the best XI of the 2014/15 La Liga season. The journalist called him one of the main reasons why Valencia was a strong force in Spanish football last year.
Valencia's strengthening and place in the Champions League playoffs were largely due to this excellent center-back." - said G. Ballague. "In addition to good defensive skills, he was able to score important goals, including a winning strike against Real Madrid."
What is his experience?
N. Otamendi was born in El Talare, a small district of Buenos Aires. Growing up, he was involved not only in soccer, but also in boxing, so he spent a lot of time in the sports hall with his half-brother, where he worked on his physical strength.
Finally, N. Otamendi chose soccer and started his career at the "Velez Sarsfield" club. He lived with his mother even when he established himself in the starting lineup. The 21-year-old defender was named one of the best players in South America by the El Pais newspaper.
In 2010, the young defender broke into the Argentina national team. At the World Cup held in South Africa, N. Otamendi started 3 out of 5 of his country's matches. In the same year, he caught the attention of the "Porto" club, where the defender started his career in Europe.
N. Otamendi quickly established himself in the starting lineup of the Portuguese giants and won various trophies with his team one after another. His career became more successful with each passing year.
At the beginning of 2014, he changed clubs again. For about 12 million euros, the Argentine was acquired by Valencia and immediately loaned out to the "Atletico Mineiro" club in Brazil for six months.
In the 2014/15 season, N. Otamendi returned to the club to which he belonged and quickly became a key player, playing only three league matches and helping Valencia return to the Champions League.
In the summer of 2015, he marched with the national team to the "Copa America" final, and now he is again changing clubs.
What is his playing style?
N. Otamendi's natural position is in central defense. There he is a dominant figure, but he also plays well with the ball at his feet.
In the 2010 World Cup, led by Diego Maradona, the Argentine national team used him in the right-back position. N. Otamendi, like his colleague in the national team Marcos Rojo, can play in multiple positions in the defensive line.
The higher tempo of the Premier League will also have a significant impact on N. Otamendi's game. Throughout his career, he has not been known for playing in fast and physical football leagues such as those in Argentina, Portugal, Brazil, and Spain, so he will need to adjust to the changed speeds.
Will he go straight into the starting lineup at "Manchester City"?
The short answer is "yes", he will have to do so. After paying more than 31 million pounds, "Manchester City" hopes that N. Otamendi will immediately strengthen the starting lineup.
N. Otamendi will not have much time to adapt, unlike young or cheaper players. Throughout his career, he has won titles in various leagues, European trophies, and "Manchester City" hopes that this purchase will help them achieve the same.
"Manchester City" conceded the most goals last season among the top 4 teams in the Premier League, so this acquisition seems very important and logical. N. Otamendi's task will be to quickly secure a place in the center of defense alongside captain Vincent Kompany and improve the statistics of his new team.
Pagal Ben Nagle, "Sky Sports"
