Why Kompany-Otamendi Is Manchester City's Best Centre-Back Partnership

For the first time since the club’s takeover in 2008, Manchester City have strength in depth at centre-back. It’s been a quirk of the club’s recent history that, despite significant investment in the squad, they have rarely had competition for places at the heart of their defence.

Vincent Kompany has been the mainstay. He arrived in 2008 just prior to Sheikh Mansour’s acquisition of the club and, after a period playing in midfield, quickly established himself as the finest centre-back in the Premier League. At just £6 million, he is one of the club’s best-value signings, a rare piece of transfer genius from former manager Mark Hughes.

Alongside him, though, there has rarely been any consistency. Joleon Lescott was his regular partner during City’s 2012 title-winning season. Lescott was outstanding, a wonderful penalty-box defender who grew in confidence rapidly after a somewhat shaky start. He may have lacked poise in possession, with a slightly ungainly style on the ball, but when it came to making blocks, tackles and interceptions, there were few better.

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Eventually, though, he was replaced. Roberto Mancini, who had led City to their first title in 44 years after taking over from Hughes, decided to try to introduce a more expansive playing style, the next phase in the team’s development. He needed a ball-playing centre-half to complement Kompany, and Lescott didn’t fit the bill.

Matija Nastasic came in, immediately usurped Lescott and looked excellent. His first season, when he was just 19, was widely considered a huge success for the player. City regressed on the field, but he was one of the few shining lights.

But as with every change of manager, there were players who paid the price. Nastasic’s fall from grace under Manuel Pellegrini was rapid and baffling. Martin Demichelis, an experienced defender who had worked with Pellegrini at Malaga, came in from Atletico Madrid, and he became a permanent fixture in the side, leaving the young Serb confined to the sidelines and contemplating his stalling career.

Demichelis’ age meant he was hardly a long-term option. Pellegrini, recognising the need for stability, decided to spend a huge slice of his budget, which was restricted by financial fair play regulations, to bring in Eliaquim Mangala from Porto. He was the fourth centre-back partner for Kompany in four seasons—a turbulent situation by anyone’s standards.

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Mangala and Kompany failed to form a partnership, though. Kompany’s performance level dropped massively, and Mangala experienced problems settling. Demichelis, the man expected to be phased out, emerged as the club’s best defender. Mangala was meant to swell City’s pool of centre-backs to three quality options. They ended the season with one.

But the signing of Nicolas Otamendi for £32 million from Valencia and the improvement in the form of both Kompany and Mangala has altered the picture dramatically this season. With Demichelis, 34, also still in the frame having signed a one-year contract extension at the end of last season, City are stronger than ever. It’s taken them seven summer transfer windows to get there, but they finally have four viable centre-back options.

But who are the best pairing?

There’s certainly no definitive answer. The best pairing depends on the kind of threat they will face. Different opponents bring to the table different strengths, and each of City’s defenders offer different qualities.

Kompany’s fitness remains something of a concern, given he is currently out with another calf injury, a recurring problem that has restricted his appearances in recent seasons. He has suffered 10 separate calf issues in the last three-and-a-half years. 

Before last weekend’s game with West Ham United, Pellegrini confirmed Kompany’s latest injury but said he felt he had a squad to deal with his absence.

“Always important not to have injured players, especially the captain and especially in a moment when we didn’t concede any goals in the first five games but I think it is important to carry on playing with the same names but I always say we have a squad.

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“It is important for Nicolas Otamendi to have his opportunity to demonstrate why he is here and Martin Demichelis to return to his performance last season. We have a squad and we need to replace the captain.”

Kompany looked excellent in the opening matches of the season. He started the first five league games, captaining the side and playing superbly. The rash positional sense and over-eager tackling was replaced by the intelligent, measured defending that had seen him become the most dominant and accomplished centre-back in the Premier League.

It was the result of hard work and acceptance his form had suffered. His summer break was short, preferring instead to return to the club's City Football Academy facility early in a bid to prepare himself, both physically and mentally, for the new season. There are few players who display the same level of professionalism and dedication to their craft.

When fit and in form, Kompany is a guaranteed starter for City. The problem, of course, is his susceptibility to muscle strains, which have been a constant blight on his ability to perform at his best in recent seasons.

Pellegrini puts it down to his style, both in games and during training: “The way he plays, Vincent plays with 100 percent intensity, not just every game but every training session, That’s the way he always works. He tries sometimes not to be always 100 percent intensity, but you cannot change."

Otamendi, who was widely regarded as the best defender in La Liga last season, will certainly sense an opportunity to establish himself in the side in the Belgian's absence. He started City’s last two matches—against West Ham and Sunderland—and impressed in both.

Like Kompany, Otamendi is an aggressive defender who looks to win the ball before a striker has time to get it under control, rather than dropping back and waiting to make a challenge in less risky circumstances.

He lacks pace, which is a concern, but he is incredibly strong and brave and will bring added steel to City’s back line. He'll need some time to adapt fully to Premier League football, but he has all the tools needed to be a success. 

Mangala, at 24, is the youngest of City's centre-backs. Sometimes it shows. Alongside Kompany in the opening five league games, he was immaculate, a key part of a defence that didn't concede a single goal in that time. Against Everton, in particular, we were given a glimpse of the Mangala City thought they had bought: a quick, physical and proactive defender capable of dominating strikers. 

Too often, though, his concentration undermines his best moments. Against Juventus in this season's opening Champions League game, he switched off and allowed Mario Mandzukic to escape his clutches and tap home an equaliser. 

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He's improved a lot since his initial shaky start to life at City, but he remains a work in progress. The physical side of the game is all there, but he is lacking tactically and positionally. Time, of course, is on his side. 

And if he wants to improve his reading of the game, Mangala should look no further than the man he played alongside during City's six-game winning run at the end of last season for inspiration. Demichelis remains City's most intelligent defender and the best they have on the ball. It's only age that is a concern.

He has shown again this season that he is a safe, steady influence on this City team. He's an organiser—the man who takes control of the back four and guides them through matches. Clearly, though, at 34 and with City involved in so many competitions, Demichelis won't be able to play with the regularity most would like.

A Kompany-Otamendi partnership would likely be Pellegrini's first-choice pairing when everyone is fit, but for the first time in recent memory, they have healthy competition in defence.  

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2015/16 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard.