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Combined Best XI: Manchester City vs. Stoke City

By Larry Henry

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City looks on during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Manchester City at Bet365 Stadium on August 20, 2016 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City looks on during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Manchester City at Bet365 Stadium on August 20, 2016 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) /
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MARCH 01: Nicolas Otamendi of Manchester City in action during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round Replay match between Manchester City and Huddersfield Town at Etihad Stadium on March 1, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MARCH 01: Nicolas Otamendi of Manchester City in action during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round Replay match between Manchester City and Huddersfield Town at Etihad Stadium on March 1, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /

Second Center Back – Nicolas Otamendi

Despite being rested more often than he probably should, Otamendi is a better option than Stoke’s Ryan Shawcross and Bruno Martins Indi. He may have his critics, but Otamendi has played well lately under Pep and has formed a nice partnership with his fellow defenders. His aerial threat is a part of his game, while he adds physicality to the group too. Overall, Stones and Otamendi would start as the centerback duo for me anyday.