Nicolas Otamendi says Sergio Aguero paved the way for his £28.5 million (Dh38.75m) move to Manchester City. And the chance to team up with his Argentine compatriots and win trophies at the Etihad outfit saw him snub interest from suitors such as Manchester United.
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Centre-back Otamendi, who joined in August after an impressive campaign at Valencia, says he is loving life in the Premier League at City alongside international colleagues Aguero, Pablo Zabaleta and Martin Demichelis.
“I have to say that I’ve settled very, very well within the group since the first moment,” 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.
“The fact that there are lots of Argentinians in the dressing room, and when you’ve shared a dressing room with those particular players, I think it’s very, very important when making your decision.
“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.”
And just like them, Otamendi, 27, has the hunger for honours.
“It is almost something that the shirt, the badge you represent demands that you win something,” he added. “But if you ask any player anywhere worldwide they’d say that’s a big motivation, that they want to win something year on year.”
After West Ham wrecked their five-match winning start to the season, leaders City will look to get back on the victory trail in the league at Spurs on Saturday.
With Eliaquim Mangala ruled out, Otamendi could line up with a fit-again Vincent Kompany again. But striker Aguero will be a key figure after ending his five-match goal drought in the 4-1 midweek League Cup win at Sunderland.
Aguero has scored 10 times in seven appearances against Spurs and Otamendi said: “It’s no surprise to me given his style of play and the fact that he is one of the top strikers in the world.
New @MCFC defender @Notamendi30 talks about tomorrow’s @btsport live match against @SpursOfficial. #MNCTOT http://t.co/WXArFylqFv
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) September 25, 2015
“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.”
Boss Pellegrini added: “I think for tomorrow he is 100 per cent fit. Maybe after his injury he was not all right, especially after West Ham, but he is now okay.
“Normally Sergio scores goals, but sometimes when he’s come [back] from a long injury, he needs one or two games to recover his normal performance.
“I don’t think he needs help [or support] in this moment because he is not in a bad moment.”
Meanwhile, Yaya Toure has revealed pressure from the Ivory Coast to keep on playing international football.
“Yeah, they know what I am capable of doing and how much pressure I take for the young players and sometimes the people cannot accept [that I quit],” he said. “It’s difficult for them. In the future I will make a decision.
“For me, the most important thing is the challenge. I have to look at myself. I’m a good competitor and always want to improve, always want to be at the top, but it’s very difficult in football. You have to be 100 per cent fit all the season.”
