This is the Manchester City XI that can catch Premier League leaders Chelsea

Nicolas Otamendi

Nicolas Otamendi, like many City defenders this season, has made errors and had terrible games, yet he’s arguably the best out-and-out defender at the club at present.

The Argentine international has started 19 of their 24 Premier League games this term, although didn’t feature in their 2-1 victory over Swansea on Sunday.

Nonetheless, the 28-year-old has consistently been one of City’s highest-rated performers over the course of the campaign, and he seems to have taken to Guardiola’s methods reasonably well, given that he is performing better this season than he did last time out.

Otamendi is still prone to the odd error, but he’s clearly a very adept defender, and one City will need to be at the top of his game over the coming months if they are to catch Chelsea.