Nicolas Otamendi reveals why he chose to move to Manchester City

Nicholas Otemendi moved to Man City from Valencia in August

NICOLAS OTAMENDI says the strong Argentina connection at the Etihad Stadium was a key factor behind his decision to move to Manchester City.

 

Otamendi has joined international colleagues Sergio Aguero, Pablo Zabaleta and Martin Demichelis at City following a £32m move from Valencia - and revealed striker Aguero was the first to let him know of the club’s interest.

“The fact that there are a lot of Argentinians in the dressing room was very, very important,” he said. “I think that in football whenever you get the chance to share a dressing room with someone that you know, have worked with, or have played with before, that can be quite decisive when making a decision as to where to make a move.

 

“I had a chat with ‘Kun’ [Aguero] and in fact it was he who told me first of City’s interest. When that interest became more firm I had talks with the manager Manuel Pellegrini. That’s when it became more of a concrete idea and he was instrumental in talking to me to bring me to the club.

“I’ve enjoyed every minute since I’ve arrived here. I have to say that I’ve settled very well within the group since the first moment. That’s because I’ve been treated in an excellent way by everybody who is part of things here.”

Otamendi has played in City’s last two games but accepts he faces a fight to keep a regular place with City’s three other central defenders Vincent Kompany - who is fit again for tomorrow’s clash with Tottenham and White Hart Lane - Demichelis and Eliaquim Mangala.

 

He added: “When you come to a big club like City you know that there is going to be competition for places because whenever top players become available, City are going to be in for them.

“I’ve now had the opportunity to play in two full games and I’ve tried my level best to play at the very best of my ability and show some good form as I try to settle into what is already an established team.

“I’m fortunate in the sense that I have got some very experience colleagues at the back with me. People like Mangala, Kompany and Demichelis are very experienced and you know it’s going to be tough competition competing for places with them.

“However I did manage to play these last couple of games and when I do get 90 minutes it’s down to me to take advantage of the opportunities that are given to me and play my best alongside these guys.”

 

Otamendi has backed fellow Argentinian Sergio Aguero to come good

Otamendi has backed mis-firing Aguero to take out his frustration on his favourite opponents.

Aguero, last season’s Golden Boot winner, has only scored once from open play this season and missed an open goal after rounding the goalkeeper in the Capital One Cup tie at Sunderland in midweek.

But he will be looking to continue a run of 10 goals in seven games against Spurs – including four in last season's game at the Etihad Stadium and another in the return at White Hart Lane.

Otamendi said:  “It is no surprise he has such a great record aginast Tottenham because he is one of the top strikers in the world. He can create something out of nothing at any particular moment and turn a game.

“Let’s hope Saturday is another one of those days when he can get off the mark and win the game for us.”

The physical intensity of English football is something Otamendi relishes.

“If it’s not the best league in the world then it’s certainly one of them,” he said. “It’s the type of football that I’ve always enjoyed and always appreciated. When you come here you really do start to enjoy your football even more.

“I like the fact that it’s so competitive here. There are always seven or eight teams that are involved in the battle for winning trophies so it forces you as a player to give 100% in every game because of that fierce competition that there is. I’m certainly enjoying the challenge.

 

Another Argentinian, Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, will be plotting City’s downfall tomorrow and Otamendi admits they face a tough match against a team that likes to attack.

“The most I’ve focused on Pochettino’s career has been since he became manager of Spurs,” he said. “He is very attacking minded and what we do here at City is to focus on the strengths of our opponents so we have certainly been studying Tottenham’s strengths.

“As they are offensive minded I think we have to be well organised throughout the team and we need to attack calmly and clinically. Because of their style of play we have to defend very, very well. One thing about Pochettino is that he allows his players to play football, he sets his teams up well but it’s all about concentrating on what we can do and imposing ourselves on the game.”

 “It’s a tough place to go but I think what we have to focus on is going there to pick up the three points and going there with a positive attitude to win the game. We are top and it’s important that we try to stay at the top of the league, continuing where we are now. We’re wary that Tottenham like to play good football and play the ball around, but I think it’s important that we focus on our game and show what we can do to get that victory.”