One of last season’s Argentinian Clausura Championship stars was Velez Sarsfield’s young centre-half Nicolas Hernan Otamendi. The 22-year-old’s impact in the Clausura title race was such that the likes Real Madrid were named as interested suitors and the player himself has now cemented himself into Diego Maradona’s international set-up and is expected to go to the World Cup finals. He has been just as impressive this season and that form has alerted Rafa Benitez who is looking to strengthen his defence this summer with some younger players and the player dubbed the ‘new Roberto Ayala’ certainly fits the bill.
Otamendi only made his Velez debut in May 2008 as a late substitute in a 2-1 home win v Rosario Central. However, it was the 2009 Apertura Championship where the youngster proved his worth. He made a total on 17 league appearances (all starts) as Velez finished as champions, two points clear of Huracan. Unsurprisingly the Velez defence had an outstanding record with Otamendi in the side conceding just 13 goals in 19 league games. The form Otamendi showed brought him to the attention of Liverpool with Rafa Benitez’ scouting network strong in Argentina and the increasing stature of his performances has led the Argentine press to claim he will be on his way to Anfield to join compatriots Maxi Rodriguez, Emiliano Insua and Javier Mascherano.
Of the 17 matches he started in the Clausura Championship, the team kept 9 clean-sheets. These statistics and the dominant nature of Otamendi’s performances led to his quick rise from youth team player to highly-rated International. This season has not been quite as good for Velez who find themselves 7th which has increased speculation that Otamendi will leave either before or after the World Cup.
The 5 ft 10 central defender was called up by Maradona for a friendly match with Panama in May which was made up from home-based Argentinian players which was won 3-1. Otamendi played the full 90 minutes and such was his performance that he again played the full 90 minutes of the 2-0 World Cup qualifying defeat in Ecuador in June. He has since maintained his place in the side winning 6 caps and played the full 90 minutes of the 1-0 win in Uruguay that sealed World cup qualification. The fact that he was picked for such an important match shows the faith Maradona has in him and will have impressed Benitez who is looking to add more youth into his Liverpool defence this summer after a pretty poor domestic season. Otamendi also played the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 friendly win over Germany in March where he excelled. The defender has received glowing reports from the player’s international team-mates Mascherano and Rodriguez, so a summer move is likely.
Due to Otamendi’s lack of height and playing style he has been likened to the former Valencia legendary defender Roberto Ayala. It’s of no surprise that a number of Serie A clubs have already begun to track the player including Inter, AC Milan and Lazio. However, Liverpool are leading the chase with fellow South Americans in their squad including Argentina star Javier Mascherano who has reportedly suggested the defender as the perfect new addition to Benitez. Unlike some South American youngsters who are catapulted to fame, Otamendi seems to be very level-headed. He still lives in his humble family home on the outskirts of Buenos Aires and takes a bus to training every day.
The player’s main attributes include his physical strength which is conditioned from his love for boxing. Like Ayala and Fabio Cannavaro, the Argentine reads the game well and uses his speed to anticipate opposition moves. He is renowned for his excellent tackling ability and has become the star of the Velez team in a short time. His manager Ricardo Gareca was glowing in his tribute to him, “He plays like a veteran. In centre-backs, cases like this are very rare.”
The Velez Football Director Christian Bassedas also praised him, “You watch him on the pitch and he gives you the idea that will eat up the opponent striker in every ball.”
Liverpool may have to move quickly this summer although they may need to sell before they can buy with Ryan Babel likely to depart. An early bid of £9m is expected to be enough if Liverpool do make their move before the various other big European clubs make their bid for the next big Argentinian defensive star. They are likely to push a move through a move to Anfield before the World Cup as a good showing from Otamendi may push the player’s price tag up too high and out of Liverpool’s range. If Benitez can capture his man, the Reds may have signed the heir to Jamie Carragher as both have similar no-nonsense playing styles.
