Man United
are set for a busy summer of spending, with defence one position set to be
strengthened. Here, WhoScored.com run the rule over transfer target, Nicolas
Otamendi.
With the domestic seasons drawing to a close in Europe’s top
five leagues, speculation over the big transfer this summer is set to go into
overdrive.
And the Premier League had barely reached its conclusion
before Manchester United
were linked with a big-money move for Valencia’s star centre-back Otamendi.
After Mats Hummels insisted
he wouldn’t be signing for United, interest has reportedly moved to Otamendi,
who established himself as one the best centre-backs in La Liga this season.
The Argentine’s 7.59 WhoScored.com rating
was the best of all central defenders and put him seventh overall in Spain’s top
tier. His performances have attracted widespread interest from the biggest
clubs on the continent, though it appears United are leading the race for his
signature.
Louis van Gaal’s side have already secured the acquisition
of Memphis Depay from PSV and look to be hell bent on landing their biggest
targets early this transfer window. Next on the United radar appears to be defensive
reinforcements and Otamendi has been targeted for good reason.
Only Lionel Messi (25) and Cristiano Ronaldo (17) earned m
ore WhoScored.com
man of the match awards than the Valencia defender (7) in La Liga this term,
reinforcing what was a superb debut campaign in Spain.
Understandably, Los Che would be loathe to losing their
prized defender, who has formed a solid centre-back partnership with Shkodran
Mustafi. Otamendi’s ability to be in the right place at the right time to clear
impending danger is perhaps his strongest asset.
The Argentina international made more clearances (258) than
any other player in La Liga this campaign, while the number of headed
clearances he made (182) was also the most in Spain’s top tier.
Such a no-nonsense approach to defending has understandably
attracted the interest of the biggest teams in Europe. However, his ability to
clear the ball from danger – though a strong point to his game – is not all the
Argentine is famed for. The 27-year-old is a composed centre-back when needed,
capable of playing the ball out from the back, which would appeal to Van Gaal
and his patient approach implemented at Old Trafford.
Otamendi averaged 44.6 passes per game in Spain this season
and maintained a respectable pass success rate of 80.3 per cent. There is room
for improvement in this department, but Van Gaal has proven that, given time,
he can improve a player's ability with the ball at his feet. Chris Smalling, for example, has looked a far
more capable centre-back with the Dutchman at the United helm and it’s
reasonable to suggest he can do similar with Otamendi.
An average of 2.9 tackles and 3.1 interceptions per game
further accentuate his defensive ability, while an average of 3.5 aerial duels
won per game, which ranks among the top 10 in Spain, reinforces why one of
his strengths on WhoScored.com is in aerial duels. This facet of his game would
come in handy for United at the other end of the pitch, much like it did for Valencia.
Five of Otamendi’s six league goals this campaign were
headers; only Ronaldo, on 12, has netted more in La Liga.
“If he [Otamendi] wants to go he will have to come to the
club, not an agent, and pay what the club decide he is worth, which is €50m at
least,” Valencia president Amadeo Salvo said via Twitter. Los Che are adamant
they will not sell their star centre-back on the cheap and for good reason
given his influential displays at the heart of their defence this season.
Nevertheless, United are clearly keen to bolster at the back
and have money to spend this summer in a bid to return to the summit of
England’s top tier. With Depay confirmed, they would be wise to do all they can
to secure the services of Otamendi if they wish to strengthen accordingly once
the transfer window reopens.
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