Ex-Benfica defender advises Mourinho on Otamendi partnership: consistency | OneFootball

João Manuel Pinto believes that Tomás Araújo is the ideal choice to partner with Nicolás Otamendi. The former central defender of Benfica considers that the number 44 – important in Guimarães – has all the conditions and requirements to be an undisputed starter for the Glorious, at the expense of António Silva.

In an interview with the newspaper A Bola, the former Porto center-back, who also had a spell at Luz, believes that Tomás Araújo deserves greater prominence in the team: “I think Tomás is doing very well, he is more prepared. Even at the start of the season, Tomás was the player in the best form and he showed it.”

“You can't take Otamendi out, because he is one of the best center-backs in Portugal. Now, between the two [Tomás and António], what we saw is that António was not going through a good moment,” added João Manuel Pinto, stating his preference for the number 44.

In conversation with the sports daily, the former Benfica player emphasizes that the defender is an asset: “Tomás Araújo brings more consistency, more speed, he is a player capable of creating imbalances and he is strong in the air. I don't remember a bad game from Tomás Araújo, I really don't.”

“Tomás gives a lot, especially defensively, which is the most important. He is a fast player, well positioned, very focused. Offensively, he creates a lot of imbalances with his build-up play. He is in great form and showed that against V. Guimarães. The goal brings even more joy and that's good for the team,” he concluded.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.