Thursday 20 August 2015 14:15, UK
We take a closer look at Argentina centre-back Nicolas Otamendi after he joined Manchester City from Valencia...
Factfile
Name: Nicolas Otamendi
Age: 27
Position: Centre-back
Previous club: Valencia
Nation: Argentina (25 appearances, one goal)
What’s the expert view?
Sky Sports Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has been impressed with the 27-year-old, picking him in his La Liga team of the season for 2014/15.
Balague said: "Valencia's improvement and challenge for the Champions League qualification is due in no small part to the efforts of this excellent central defender, who in addition to great defence has a habit of weighing in with important goals, namely the winner to end Real Madrid’s 22-match unbeaten run."
What's his experience?
Otamendi was born in El Talar, a small neighbourhood in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Growing up, he shared his time between boxing and football, building up his strength in a local gym with his cousin.
Now, though, just one of his childhood passions remains. He began his career in the youth sides of Velez Sarsfield, the most local club to his home. He lived with his mother, even while in the first team, cementing his place at the heart of the defence under current Peru manager Ricardo Gareca.
In 2009, at the age of 21, Otamendi was voted into El Pais' South American Team of the Year, with the paper describing him as "one of the revelations of the year". Despite his young age, he was a fixture in the first team and making waves across the continent for both club and country.
By 2010, he had made 10 appearances for Argentina, including a starring role at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and he was snapped up by Porto in August of that year.
The Portuguese side, then managed by Andre Villas-Boas, paid €4m for his services, and Otamendi got off to the perfect start, scoring in his first game.
Porto won the Portuguese league, domestic cup and the Europa League in his first season - Radamel Falcao scored the only goal in the final as they beat Portuguese rivals Braga - before they retained the league trophy in 2011/12 and 2012/13.
Otamendi's career was becoming a runaway success, and he was playing week in, week out for the top club in Portugal. In February 2014, he agreed a move across the border to Valencia, playing out the rest of the season with Porto before heading east.
Valencia paid €12m for Otamendi, fighting off interest from Chelsea, Barcelona and AC Milan. In fact, in October 2013, Marca reported that Chelsea had secured a deal for the centre-back, a statement that in reality was off the mark.
Upon arrival at the Mestalla, Otamendi was immediately loaned out, and boarded a flight home to South America, where he spent the summer at Atletico Mineiro in Brazil.
He returned to Spain for the 2014/15 La Liga season, and played a part in all but three of Valencia’s league matches, helping them to fourth and a Champions League play-off spot.
Otamendi was last in competitive action for Argentina, helping his nation to the final of the Copa America, where they lost out to hosts Chile on penalties.
What's his style?
Otamendi's most natural position is at centre-back; the six-foot defender is commanding and comfortable with the ball at his feet.
Under Diego Maradona at the 2010 World Cup, he was employed at right-back, and much like international team-mate Marcos Rojo, is able to play in a number of different roles in the back-line.
The change in pace and style of the English game will undoubtedly be a factor following his move to the Premier League; Otamendi has played his entire career in Spain, Portugal, Argentina and Brazil.
Will he fit straight in?
The short answer to this question is yes, he'd have to. Otamendi is 27 and at the peak of his powers. He will be expected to slot straight in to the City back-line.
There is no time for a grace period as there may be with a younger player; Otamendi has won league titles, European trophies, and can be a big part in City’s attempts to do the same.
Manchester City conceded more goals than any other team in the top four last season and Otamendi will be tasked with slotting in alongside skipper Vincent Kompany and bolstering the team’s rearguard.
