Ever since Manchester City showed the initial signs of intent regarding the signature of young Serb Matija Nastasic, I was interested.
Not because he had played regular first team football for Fiorentina, and not because he had played for the Serbian National team on several occasions, alongside players like United's Nemanja Vidic. Not entirely. I was interested because Vidic had said himself that Nastasic was 'the next Vidic'.
It's not often that a player of Vidic's quality heaps praise onto a 19-year old. Not often at all. The fact that Nastasic had been playing regular football was actually massively beneficial on City's part on two fronts: one, that he had developed and matured as a person and as a player, and, two, that he had played regularly consistent football to be able to establish himself as a fantastic, young player in the Serie 'A'.
If City's number 33 were to have been promoted directly from City's own youth academy, it is 99% likely he wouldn't be in the squad sheet week in, week out like he is now. He wouldn't even be on the bench. He would have been in the same position as City graduates, like John Guidetti, Rekik and Abdul Razak.
It's the same reason high potential players such as Daniel Sturridge, Nedum Onuoha and Vladimir Weiss left the club. Take a look at teams like Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham .... look at players such as Cleverly, Wilshere, Sterling and Bale respectively... the list goes on. And on. And on.
Anyway, I'm straying away from my point now (although I will be writing an article on City's academy compared to other teams' academies -- probably soon).
Let's take a look at some of Matija's stats. Manchester City have won 69% of games with Matija Nastasic this season (11/16) and just 45% of those that he has missed (5/11) (courtesy of @OptaCity) and Nastasic has completed 96% of his tackles, has performed a total of 0 mistakes leading to goals, and on top of that has completed 89% of his passes. And he's only 19-years-old. Remarkable. (courtesy of @City_Watch).
Let's rewind. The teenage Serb made his debut for the club on 18 September 2012, starting in a Champions League away fixture against Real Madrid, at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. This just proves entirely what a talent this guy is.
He's also left-footed, which is extremely useful when it comes to partnering skipper Vincent Kompany; Mancini prefers to play one left-footed and one right-footed centre back. This left-footed defender would have been Joleon Lescott last term; he was an outstanding defender. But, Nastasic has frozen him out this season.
Why? Because he's a perfect defender. He's tall, strong, got a good pass, good head, he's got pace, he's composed...
Really like Nastasic, calm, collected does the simple things well. Also can hit a good long pass for our occasional variation!
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