Pep Guardiola has singled Nicolas Otamendi out for praise following Manchester City's impressive start to the season.
The Citizens have won all but one of their games in all competitions this season, scoring 39 goals along the way.
Although the team's midfielders and attackers have received most of the plaudits, Guardiola was eager to pay tribute to Otamendi for his displays alongside John Stones in defence.
"Normally we talk about the attacking players but Nico and John have been fantastic in the last month," the Spaniard told reporters. "I'm been really impressed by Nico. He has a warrior-like mentality. He's not afraid at all.
"He is one of the players with the strongest mentality that I met in my life. He's a guy who just wants to learn, in terms of ball possession, because he has always been strong in the air. He really wins duels, which is necessary everywhere, but especially here in England, and also has the courage to play [on the ground].
"If he loses a game he says 'Give me the ball again and let's play,' and I give a lot of value to this kind of thing. I'm so happy with him."
Otamendi has made 103 appearances for City since his 2015 move from Valencia.
Giuseppe Labellarte
