Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola revealed Argentine defender Nicolas Otamendi is unhappy with his cameo appearances this term.
Otamendi’s appearances have been reduced to eight Premier League games which is a sharp contrast to 33 starts last season.
With Vincent Kompany, John Stones and Aymeric Laporte all favoured ahead of him, the former Valencia defender has gone on to voice his frustration.
Guardiola says he understands Otamendi’s frustrations and praised the 30-year-old’s professionalism this season.
“He’s not happy,” Guardiola said via Sky. “I don’t have an answer. When he plays he’s happy, when he doesn’t play he’s not happy.
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“But it’s not just Otamendi, [it’s] everybody. All of them. I don’t know what I can do but be honest with myself and with them.
“Of course when he doesn’t play he’s not happy. In the end with Nico, I know we can count on him at any time in any situation because he’s an incredible professional and always he’s ready. I’m delighted with him.
“But I can understand him [wanting to play more]. I cannot say anything else.”
City face Burton Albion in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday, and Guardiola could look to rotate, with his team already leading 9-0 on aggregate.
