Player Focus: Demichelis Beginning to Repay Pellegrini's Faith In Him

"My confidence is very high and I feel I’m in really good form and am happy to help the team," Martín Demichelis said this week following another impressive performance in the Manchester City defence, this time in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal. The Argentine came in for stick from supporters on the back of his move to the Etihad from Malaga, but has become integral at the heart of the backline in recent weeks.

Linking up once again with former boss Manuel Pellegrini, the City manager has favoured the 33-year-old ahead of Joleon Lescott and, when fit, Matija Nastasic this term, with the centre-back forming a partnership with Vincent Kompany. Granted, his start to life in England wasn’t ideal, but lately he’s been showing why City signed him as the title run in enters the final stretch.

Demichelis has been on the receiving end of his fair share of criticism, most notably following the 2-0 Champions League home defeat to Barcelona, but he’s impressing as City go in search of a 2nd Premier League title. Making his debut away at Chelsea wasn't the easiest of starts to life in England, but he's improved in the last 6 weeks and City will be hoping Demichelis can continue this rise in form as the campaign comes to a head.

Possibly the most notable asset of Demichelis’ game is his passing ability. The modern day centre-back is expected to be able to play the ball on the floor as a means of instigating attacks from the back. This matches City’s approach, with the Citizens having developed styles of play of ‘possession football’ and ‘short passes’.

One of his strengths is ‘passing’ and it’s warranted with only midfielders Yaya Touré (73.3) and David Silva (71.9) averaging more passes per game than Demichelis (56) of every City player this season. Moreover, the Argentine has been accurate with 89% of those, suiting the requirements set out by Pellegrini, though that comes as little shock with the experienced centre-back now playing for the third time under the Chilean. This in turn allows the more creative midfielders, Touré and Silva in particular, to express themselves, with the duo key to City’s title charge this season.

From a defensive perspective, Demichelis has progressed, regardless of what some may believe. While 5 City regulars are averaging more tackles per game than him (1.9), Demichelis has used his knowledge to cut out potential attacks against the City goal.

This has seen the centre-back average more interceptions per match (2.4) than any City player, with his reading of the game standing him in high stead. While many have cited his lack of pace as a weakness, Demichelis has adapted to suit the rigors of the Premier League, thus ensuring this doesn’t regularly affect his performances.

Furthermore, City have kept more clean sheets with Demichelis starting (9) than any other centre-back at the club, while the Citizens are shipping fewer goals per game with him (0.84) than without (1.09). This shows that he's not as big a hindrance in the defence as some are led to believe, despite a nervy beginning to life in a City shirt.

With only striker Edin Dzeko winning more headed battles per game (2.9) than Demichelis (2.3) of every City regular, his dominance in the air further aids the team when opposition sides utilise a more direct approach. This highlights how the former Malaga captain is capable of contesting in the air as he is with the ball at his feet. Averaging more clearances per match (6.9) than any performer at the club, Demichelis is able to be in the right place at the right time to relieve pressure on the City goal, helping them concede just 28 times this term.

Perhaps the stick Demichelis receives from supporters is at times unwarranted and while there have been occurences when he has appeared out of his depth, he’s been crucial recently, especially in the 7 appearances following the forgetful display against Barcelona.

Of late, the centre-back has lived up to his billing with a series of mature performances, particularly in the 2-0 win at Hull when City were reduced to 10-men following Kompany's early sending off. The Citizens were expected to fall apart without their captain on the pitch, especially when Javí Garcia was dropped back into defence, but rather than capitulate, City secured a vital 3 points at the KC Stadium. 

Demichelis was pivotal in the victory, securing a WhoScored rating of 7.6 as City remained unfazed by the task ahead of them at the time. This was the beginning in what turned out to be an impressive month for the defender, as highlighted in his rating (7.99), the 15th highest in Europe's top 5 leagues in March.

If the Citizens are to secure domestic glory this term, Demichelis could play a key role in their remaining 8 games of the season, especially if he can replicate, or better, his form from last month. Should he continue this run of good displays, the possibility of City landing the title increases significantly, such have been his performances in England’s top tier this year.

Have you been impressed with Martín Demichelis' performances of late? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below