Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi has told ESPN FC that the team can cope with the pressure of being favourites to win the Premier League title.
Otamendi, 27, joined City in the summer in a £32 million deal from Valencia and has impressed in recent weeks after establishing himself as a regular in Manuel Pellegrini's starting XI ahead of the likes of Eliaquim Mangala and Martin Demichelis.
Indeed, his performances have helped City to top the table ahead of Arsenal on goal difference after 12 games and, although the Argentina international admits it is not easy being the frontrunner in the race for the title, he is confident the pressure will have no effect on the players.
"It's not easy to be in the position that we are in at the moment because everyone looks at you as the principle candidate for winning the title, and there is a long way to go yet," he told ESPN FC. "Of course we like to be up there, but it gives us extra pressure game after game.
"Anyway, we are a strong minded team and we know how to handle that pressure. It's better to have that feeling because we are ahead of everyone and that means that we are doing our work correctly.
"I think that we are working calmly and being patient. The championship is long and we have to go step by step."
Despite Manchester City's fine start to the season, Otamendi admits the players are focused on winning each game in a stylish way rather than looking ahead to May.
"We can't think only in that we want to win the title," he added. "We have to find a way of playing. The coach and all the group of players that are in the squad expect to play well.
"We don't like to win without showing a style or a way of playing because that gives three points, but can make you lose at any moment."
Otamendi also revealed he has been shocked by some of City's early challengers with the likes of Leicester, Tottenham and West Ham all in the top six alongside Arsenal and Manchester United.
"It's normal to see Arsenal there and also Manchester United," he said. "Maybe Leicester is a surprise, and a little bit behind them is Tottenham, who are getting better season after season and another surprise may be West Ham United."
Andres Garavaglia contributed to this report