Sky Sports Scout is where we scour the globe looking out for the best talent, next up is Nicolas Otamendi.
We run the rule over Argentine starlet Nicolas Otamendi
Sky Sports Scout is our exciting feature where we scour the globe looking out for the best talent and bring you a report on what we find.
Our Scout will report back and you can comment on what you think of our appraisal.
Also, in association with Football Manager, we give all readers the chance to win a copy of the latest game by nominating a player.
You can only nominate a player by
emailing here, including the word 'Scout' in your subject line.
Should your player get reviewed by our scout, and you were first to send in his name, then you will win a copy of Football Manager Live! - which includes a pre-paid four-month subscription.
Latest under our scout's gaze is Velez Sarsfield's young defender
Nicolas Otamendi - recommended by
Sky Sports reader
Michael Lewis.
The scout reports...
Nicolas Otamendi is one of the new crop of Argentine talents fast-tracked into the national set-up by Diego Maradona.
But while most of Maradona's new call-ups are not expected to be in contention for a place in their World Cup squad - Otamendi is challenging for a place in the starting XI, let alone the travelling party.
An absolute monster of a central defender, Otamendi looks is an uncompromising stopper.
But as with most South Americans, his talent is born out of natural skill. He is composed and can tackle, and many have likened him to Roberto Ayala.
Otamendi is not a giant, he is under 6ft, but he has made a startling beginning to his career having only made his senior debut for Velez Sarsfield just over 12 months ago.
Of the 17 matches he started for Velez in the last Clausura, Velez kep a clean sheet in nine of them and they lifted the title.
On the back of Velez's title success, Otamendi was drafted into the Argentine squad by Maradona and he made his debut against Ecuador.
It is now little surprise that Otamendi is already being linked with a big money move to Europe.
Italian clubs including AC Milan and Lazio were first to pay particular attention to him, although recent months have seen Real Madrid keeping tabs on him.
The scout says...
Looks a real gem of a player, a cool-headed and skilful defender, who reads the game like a Italian-style sweeper.
Relatively inexperienced, but with a title under his belt, you can expect him to be on the move and in Europe within the next 12 months.
The Scout rating...
Shooting: 5 out of 10
Passing: 8 out of 10
Tackling: 8 out of 10
Heading: 8 out of 10
Pace: 7 out of 10
Vision: 6 out of 10
Current ability: 8 out of 10
Potential ability: 10 out of 10
OVERALL SCOUT RATING: 60/80
Current value: £12million
Potential value: £40million
Your opinion...
You have read our opinion of Otamendi - now we want your views. Have you seen Otamendi? Do you agree with our assessment? Do you think he will make it?
And if you have spotted anyone you think we should feature, then please get in touch. We will look to send out the Scout to follow up some of your leads.
