Fans of Manchester City have been reacting to Nicolas Otamendi’s performance against Manchester United on Sunday, in which City lost 2-0 to their local rivals.
Otamendi, who moved to City from Valencia in 2015, has made 31 appearances in all competitions for the Citizens so far this season, scoring three goals.
The 32-year-old has averaged a 6.77 WhoScored match rating over his 19 Premier League appearances this term, turning in a below-par 6.66 rating in Manchester City’s 2-0 loss to Manchester United last weekend.
The £16.2 million-rated centre-back, who cost City £40.05 million, was also fortunate not to be penalised for a tangle with Manchester United’s Fred in the City penalty area, although Fred was eventually booked for diving.
Following the match, many Man City fans took to Twitter to comment on Otamendi’s poor performance, with some claiming that the Argentinian international should be sold this summer, as Daniel Taylor of The Athletic claimed that Otamendi is in danger of becoming the new Martin Demichelis.
Should have gone already
— John (@John_Bluestone) March 9, 2020
Nicolas Otamendi is in his fifth season at City and I’m still not convinced he’s settled in.
— David Mooney (@DavidMooney) March 8, 2020
For some reason Otamendi being a clown on the pitch is funny to me, any other player and I’d be FUMING but he gets the pass
— Joosep (@js10mcfc) March 8, 2020
In all seriousness, it’s time to thank Stones and Otamendi for their contributions and send them out. They’ve been given chance after chance, yet failed. We definitely need new centre backs. Was a mistake not replacing Kompany. https://t.co/GlcVLS1DJH
— Ruben ?? (@Rubendran27) March 9, 2020
City need 2 new CHs in the summer IMHO with at least one of Otamendi or Stones being sold. However I could see a situation where both are still at City next season, Stones for the english quota, Otamendi’s contract & not getting a decent price
— Neil_K (@NK_ESQ) March 9, 2020
Players out : Zinchenko, Otamendi probably Sane!!
Players In: Koulibely,Skriniarand we’re back to our best!!!
— Joshi (@aronjoshi02) March 9, 2020
IMO, to get good results,
1. Pep should stop tinkering with the starting XI.
2. Zinchenko and Otamendi shouldn’t play again for City… worst defenders ever.
3. Foden should only play against weaker opposition.
4. Jesus should start ahead of Aguero— David Adamson (@davidadamson938) March 9, 2020
What do we think?
City’s tally of seven games lost in the Premier League this season is Pep Guardiola’s most ever in a season as manager, one of the clearest signs that City’s squad needs investment.
Following City’s latest defeat, Chris Sutton wrote in the Daily Mail: “Despite their extensive spending, City’s defence requires significant surgery. That is now seven defeats in 28 games in what has been an abysmal title defence, and it is little wonder Pep Guardiola looked so annoyed in his post-match interviews. ”
It is hard to argue with Sutton’s comments, as City’s failure to replace the outgoing Vincent Kompany last summer would appear to be a contributing factor as to why City trail league leaders Liverpool by a massive 25 points.