Manchester: Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi has revealed that the presence of several fellow Argentines in the squad placed a crucial role in his decision to move to the English Premier League (EPL) giants.
Otamendi joined City from Spanish outfit Valencia for 32 million pounds earlier in the season to join a strong Argentine contingent at the north England club which also includes international colleagues Sergio Aguero, Pablo Zabaleta and Martin Demichelis.
"The fact that there are a lot of Argentinians in the dressing room was very, very important. 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," Otamendi was quoted as saying by the local media on Saturday.
"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," he added.
"I've enjoyed every minute since I've arrived here. I have to say that I've settled very well within the group since the first moment. That's because I’ve been treated in an excellent way by everybody who is part of things here."
The central defender asserted that he is enjoying the physical intensity and competitive nature of English football which he feels encourages players to perform at top gear in every game.
"If it's not the best league in the world then it’s certainly one of them. It's the type of football that I've always enjoyed and always appreciated. When you come here you really do start to enjoy your football even more," he said.
"I like the fact that it's so competitive here. There are always seven or eight teams that are involved in the battle for winning trophies so it forces you as a player to give 100 percent in every game because of that fierce competition that there is. I'm certainly enjoying the challenge."
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