Manuel Pellegrini: Nicolas Otamendi must fight for his place in the side

Posted Saturday, August 22, 2015 by Dailystar.co.uk

MANUEL PELLEGRINI has warned new boy Nicolas Otamendi he faces a fight for a place in Manchester City's starting line-up.

Otamendi, 27, will have to go toe-to-toe with defensive heavyweights Vincent Kompany and Eliaquim Mangala if he wants to slug it out with the Premier League big boys.

City may have just paid £32m to Valencia for the Argentina centre-back but he will not knock Kompany and Mangala out of the team after their impressive start to the season.

Pellegrini said: "In this moment, in the way we are playing, it is impossible to move Kompany and Mangala from their positions.

"They are in a good moment. We did not concede one goal in the last two games. We continue playing with the same."

But the City boss is hoping the arrival of Otamendi will keep Kompany and Mangala on their toes so they're not caught cold at Everton tomorrow.

NO GUARANTEES: Pellegrini says Otamendi must win his place in the team

He said: "I think we needed a centre-back. We analysed different options and we decided that he was the best option so where he is.

"He will be a very important player. I think he is a very good player, he is improving.

"Last season with Valencia he had a very good season.

"He is a good header. That is important here in England."

Pellegrini did admit that loaning Mangala to Valencia as part of the deal was an option.

But City wanted four senior centre backs with Martin Demichelis still at the club and 20 year old Jason Denayer set to go out on loan.

Pellegrini added: "There was a lot of talking about different options.

"The option that we wanted was to bring Otamendi here so Otamendi is here.

"That the conversation may happen means there can be a lot of options but finally I decide that Mangala must stay here and Otamendi."

Pellegrini has brought in Raheem Sterling, Fabian Delph, Patrick Roberts and now Otamendi while they are still chasing Wolfsburg midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.