Nicolas Otamendi: Transformation of Manchester City's Superman
Nicolas Otamendi. Pep Guardiola made a special effort to praise the 29-year-old defender, emphasising that the Citizens' memorable winning run would be unimaginable without him.
In Manchester City's squad, the Argentine had been known as "The General". Now, he has increased to the upgraded rank of "Superman".
Pep's most illuminating remarks typically come not when pressed for answers, but rather when he has something that he feels is important to say. On Friday when questioned about John Stones' fitness, the City boss made one of his well-known smooth transition comments.
"John's arrival is some great news for us since we have a Superman in the squad," he said.
"Nico Otamendi served us effectively... without Nico, it would not be conceivable to do what we have done."
Guardiola is usually opposed to singling out players for any kind of praise, yet here he was effusive when talking.
"Everyone talks about a ton of players, as Raheem, as Kevin, as David, as Sergio and they justify it, yet in all possibilities, if I want to point out some player who deserves all the appreciation for what we have done so far, it's none other than Nico."
"Nico has been astonishing, because that he is a person who bares all the pain, even with issues in the lower leg, in the knee, in the back, he always fights. He's one of the immense contenders I have seen found in my life - so crucial. I can't envision the state we would be in, in terms of the Premier League table, as far as the way we play, without him. It would have been improbable."
Otamendi celebrates scoring a crucial goal during their narrow but deserved Manchester Derby victory
To say that Pep Guardiola - who worries about each and every conceivable part of a football match - assigns City's record-breaking 18-game winning run extensively to one centre-back, speaks volumes.
Comparisons to Lahm in Germany
Off the camera, plaudits go much further. A source who has worked with Guardiola at the training ground told media that he trusts Otamendi's evolution in recent months as second to just Philipp Lahm's transformation into a central midfielder during his tenure at Bayern Munich.
Lahm, who was approaching the end of his profession, was taken from his preferred right-back slot and brought further forward into midfield with Guardiola eagerly watching on. He was effacious as the Bavarians changed their playing style, before winning the Bundesliga title quicker than any other side in previous seasons.
Otamendi has not changed positions, but does look like a completely different player to the one who arrived in England.
In his first two seasons in Manchester, he was frequently the man caught out of possession. Decision-making was poor, he often went to ground too easily when exposed or just seemed to switch off at vital moments where his side needed him most.
In reality, his long-term City future was the subject of some uncertainty in months leading to this. However, he has since signed a contract extension until the summer of 2022, which just shows how important he has become recently.
Nowadays, he does the lot. Notwithstanding a moderate amount of exceptions, he has seemingly eradicated the sort of mistakes which beforehand undermined his £30m pricetag from La Liga side Valencia. Having enhanced his aerial ability, he's also improving his levels of distribution all the time - which is key for success in Guardiola's system.
"Being a central defender in our squad isn't simple," Guardiola revealed. "You play 40 metres in-front [of your own goal], protecting a generous amount of room behind, you need to help us with the build-ups, they can't be just stressed over defending."
"It's so demanding however this can just happen when you are brave, you have courage, you have a colossal identity to attempt to do it. At the present time, he's analysing the situations, where the spaces are to pass the ball, incredibly."
Otamendi himself had thanks to give Guardiola's way for that specific change in his game.
"The certainty that the coach gives you is vital when you have to come out with the ball. On the off chance if the team is sitting deep, the centre-backs need to have the persistence to give the pass at the correct minute."
Stat breakdown
To explain his significant change in such manner, Otamendi has made more passes (2501) than each and every player in the top divisions of England, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Turkey and Portugal.
There is nothing wrong with a backward pass in Guardiola's framework, particularly as Ederson can choose basically any target on the pitch from his own particular territory, however, 70% of Otamendi's passes has been played forward. 92% of attempted balls have reached their target too, making him the most precise of the Premier League's top 20 most frequent passers of the ball.
His 51 headed clearances, 39 successful tackles and 40 interceptions have been imperative thus far this term - however they are not league-high stats as City defenders spend more time with the ball than without it in possession.
So perhaps it is best to give Guardiola himself a chance to clarify the other specific areas of Otamendi's game have been progressing under his management. As a result, he has excelled.