Manuel Pellegrini has revealed he is unable to choose Nicolas Otamendi, Manchester City’s new £34m central defender, for Sunday’s visit to Everton due to the impressive form of Vincent Kompany and Eliaquim Mangala.
Otamendi sealed his transfer on Thursday yet despite Mangala, who cost £42m last summer, having been considered as a potential loanee to the Spanish club, the Frenchman’s displays in City’s opening two victories have secured his place. City have defeated West Bromwich Albion 3-0 and Chelsea by the same scoreline.
“In this moment, in the way we are playing, it is impossible to move Kompany and Mangala from their positions and all the rest of the players. They are in a good moment. We did not concede one goal in the last two games. We continue playing with the same,” said the manager.
“I think that we needed a centre back. We analysed different options and we decided that Nicolas Otamendi was the best option so here he is. He will be a very important player. I think he is a very good player, he is improving.
“I know him when he played in Porto with Mangala, both of them against Malaga in the Champions League. Last season with Valencia he had a very good season. He is improving every year. He is a good header. That is important here in England.”
Asked what Otamendi’s arrival might mean for Mangala, Pellegrini said: “We have another centre-back with Mangala and Kompany with Demichelis. We have Jason [Denayer] also. We will see what happens with him. This season with the amount of games we must play it is important to have four centre-backs.”
Pellegrini agreed he has the option now of operating a back three should he wish. “When you have good players you have possibilities,” the Chilean said.
“This year it is important first to have the best two options, seeing their performances. The players always have their best performances when they have important competition inside the squad.”
Pellegrini added that Denayer may now be available for loan. “We will talk with him, with his agent,” said the manager. “He improved a lot last year playing one year with Celtic. We will see will see now where he will go or if he stays here. We will decide in the next weeks.”
Pellegrini shrugged off City now being title favourites following their strong start. “I manage inside the squad because no one is thinking what will happen in May,” he said.
“We have just played two games.. We have played very well. It is important to continue, important to have a gap against the big teams but remember last year Chelsea had a gap of eight points against our team and in January we are in the same position [on New Year’s Day].”
Fabian Delph and Fernando have both returned to training following recent injuries, but right-back Pablo Zabaleta could be out of action for a month with a knee injury. The Argentinean, who has not yet featured this season after returning late following summer international duty, was hurt in training this week.
“Pablo Zabaleta yesterday had a problem in his knee with his ligaments so he will be out for around one month,” Pellegrini confirmed.
“It happened in training,” Zabaleta said on the club’s official website. “It’s the first time in 12 years of senior football that I’ve ever been injured like this so it’s a blow, especially at the start of the season.”
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