Since joining the club in 2008, Vincent Kompany has been at the forefront of Manchester City’s recent successes.
Linking up with the Citizens at the start of Sheikh Mansour’s famous acquisition of the club, the Belgian has consistently performed well at the heart of City’s defence, and the captain is a firm fans’ favourite at the Etihad Stadium.
Star players have come and gone during Kompany’s stint in England, yet the modest £6m signing has proven to arguably be the best piece of transfer business of the Mansour era.
£40m centre-backs? Who needs them. Picking up titles in 2011/12 and 2013/14, as well as FA Cup and double League Cup success, Kompany has captained Manchester City to the most illustrious spell in the club’s 122-year history.
In recent years, however, his influence on the side has begun to wane. A succession of injuries have led to a limited number of appearances, and some may wonder whether the Belgian has passed his peak.
Kompany came back from injury to score in City’s 3-0 weekend win, but is one top performance enough? Here we take a look at whether Kompany still has a role to play at the club, or whether his days in Manchester are numbered.
Injuries
Kompany has suffered from injuries consistently over the past few seasons.
This season he has only started a worrying four Premier League games and has played only 296 minutes in the competition across the campaign. Groin, knee and leg injuries have kept the Belgian sidelined for most of the season.
The aforementioned groin injury ruled Kompany out for the whole summer, meaning he missed the European Championship – possibly his last chance for success with the international side.
Another season plagued by injuries may see Kompany miss the World Cup, and at 35-years-of-age by Euro 2020, his international days might well be over.
A club of City’s ambition cannot rest on their laurels and be too sentimental.
Influence
As discussed, Kompany’s influence at the club has been huge.
Multiple titles, the ascension of the club from English minnows to European giants; Kompany has seen the Sky Blues through it all. Captain of the club and an old custodian, his wisdom, knowledge and passion for the game is sure to rub off on those around him.
Kompany is also a fans’ favourite, so expect the wrath of the blue half of Manchester if Kompany were to be moved on. The club’s current longest serving player, City would lose a true leader if Kompany were to leave.
Future
Kompany has spent a long time in Manchester and has been touted as having a future in the game after retirement. The most logical step for Kompany would be to take his coaching badges with the club whilst still playing, and City may be considering the Belgian as a future addition to the coaching staff. Staying at City in the hope of a coaching position is one option for Kompany, but perhaps he should consider moving on.
If the big Belgian were to become available, offers from abroad would be sure to pour in, with clubs in the lucrative Chinese Super League certain to be sniffing around the European star. Kompany would be a massive coup for the Chinese league, and the money on offer would be mind boggling. Major League Soccer clubs may also look to strike a deal, while top European teams might also take a risk on Kompany maintaining his fitness over the next few seasons.
Conclusion
Vincent Kompany and Manchester City have a lot of thinking to do in the summer.
His performance at Southampton proves the former Hamburg man still has what it takes to compete at the top, but a string of injuries which have limited the defender to only four Premier League starts is concerning. City must decide whether they will keep a big earning star on the books without seeing a return, or whether the cutthroat nature of modern football will take effect, and the loyal Belgian will be moved on.
A mob of clubs would come calling for Kompany should he become available, and whoever wins the race will add a fantastic player and character to their dressing room.
VERDICT: Kompany should be given one more season at City
to prove his fitness. If he can stay fit and consistently make the starting lineup, he will see out his contract with City. If not, Kompany may look abroad next summer.