The England keeper says his teammate has "settled quicker than I’ve ever seen anyone settle into the Premier League", and believes he knows what to expect of Jamie Vardy
Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has put up a staunch defence of his backline - insisting Nicolas Otamendi has settled into English football amazingly quickly - and says he knows Jamie Vardy's finishing pattern.
City can usurp Leicester City at the top of the Premier League if they beat the Foxes on Saturday lunchtime, having kept themselves in the title race despite a patchy away record and defensive struggles without injured captain Vincent Kompany.
The Blues had failed to keep a clean sheet in 12 attempts without Kompany up until the goalless draw with Leicester at the end of December but have improved on that front in the New Year, with Manuel Pellegrini's side having advanced in all four competitions.
Hart says he has not had to address any particular concerns among the makeshift backline in front of him, and also hailed Argentina defender Otamendi, who has been the main man to fill in for Kompany.
Talking about City's fortunes without the Belgian, Hart told reporters: "It was definitely a talking point having started the season so well with him and then not keeping so many clean sheets without him but football goes up and down and whether we've got Vinnie in or out of the team we look to win and we look to keep a clean sheet.
"The lads have defended well this season. There's not been many times when I really felt like anything needed addressing – it's just been about the odd goal but goals happen. There are some great strikers in this league."
And on the prospect of Kompany returning to the team, he added: "It's good but I've spoken before about [Bacary] Sagna, [Gael] Clichy, [Aleksandar] Kolarov and also [Pablo Zabaleta] Zabba getting himself back, Martin [Demichelis] always being there when we need and playing well.
"Otamendi has settled quicker than I've ever seen anyone settle into the Premier League – he's been a real revelation and a great signing for us. And obviously [Eliaquim Mangala] Manga who was building a great relationship with Otamendi before his injury."
Leicester will arrive at the Etihad Stadium top of the table thanks in no small part to the 18 goals scored by former non-league striker Vardy.
Hart says he has done his homework on his new England teammate, but admits he could do nothing about another wonder-strike akin to his goal against Liverpool in midweek.
"I'm really happy for how the season has gone for him. He's a fantastic player and a great guy. He's really exploded. I think he's just been more prolific. That's the only thing that's changed about him. Obviously I didn't know too much about him until Leicester were in the Premier League but we know what hard work and energy he brings and that he could really take up the time of the back four on his own.
"For me as a keeper it's about knowing how he'll chase every ball and now he's added the finishing too. It's priceless really. We study the team we're playing against and I watch football as a fan.
"I know how he scores his goals and his pattern of finishing but there's only so much you can plan for Saturday because I doubt anyone would have seen that goal coming. You just have to be ready for anything. He's a good guy. I got him as soon as he walked through the door at England.
"I was obviously aware of him having spoken to Kasper [Schmeichel] and was aware having been at England for a long time that he didn't have any teammates with him but he is exactly as he seems. He's straight down the line. He is who he is and he's a lot of fun to be around."
- Goal