Otamendi

[pavelsrnicek]

He may just be a back up option so to speak in the event that Denayer refuses to sign his new contract.

 

[hgblue]

He was our best defender last season, how exactly is he on his last legs?

Not everybody rates Demichelis as highly as you. He's slow enough as it is and not getting any younger. Personally I'd be delighted with this potential signing and it makes perfect sense to me.

 

[Big Yaya Wilko 12]

Long term replacement to Demichelis?

If Martin is leaving next year, maybe he's here to 'shadow' him in a sense, have a year to settle in while there's no real need for a Centre Back, so he's ready and experienced for next season when we will definitely need one!

Seems like good forward planning by the club to me. . .

 

[Stretfordian_Blue]

Otamendi is too good to shadow Demichelis. At the Copa America Demichelis has played once, Otamendi twice. He would not be happy sat behind him all year, especially if that means 4th choice.

 

[Daz_Blue]

If Otamendi is a target MDM must be off this window ...... do not see Denayer going out on loan again ....

 

[Stephenhakin]

Completely a no goer for me this. Think the agent is whoring him about for obvious reasons.

 

[riley347]

Surely it's an option....last season....Kompany=average at best....Mangala= average at best..,, MDM= decent but knocking on,...., and can't just expect to throw the young kid in....makes sense with the Negredo factor too...

 

[Stephenhakin]

The Negredo fee was/is used for Bony?????

 

[riley347]

The Negredo fee was/is used for Bony?????

Not sure...some say yep but reports also say no...

 

[MillionDollarDream]

Completely a no goer for me this. Think the agent is whoring him about for obvious reasons.

As much as people want to paint this as agent/media talk.... It's not Otamendi has been wanting to leave since last season. Valencia fans don't want him to leave as he's been excellent for them but they wanted to make sure his clause was met. The only reason it looks like this deal is different for us is because they still owe us the Negredo and have yet to pay/don't want to pay it. Everyone else(specifically United) would be paying for an expensive CB, we would not.

It's quiet possible Demi, unlike Milner signed a deal so we can get a fee for him leaving. You don't wait till you have a problem to address it, you plan ahead. As few have mentioned, there's concern over Kompany's form, Demi leaving possibly this season or next for sure etc. Chelsea had the most solid defense all season but that doesn't stop them from looking at Baba and Samuel Umtiti. They are already trying to plan life without John Terry/Cahill by trying to partner France's best young Cb's Zouma/Umtiti together.

We still have to try and get the best that's out there while bringing in youth who make the grade not just going with youth for the sake of youth. This is a unique opportunity that's falling into our laps that's worth taking a look at.