Manchester City were given a big boost after their skipper Vincent Kompany managed to put in a match winning performance, and completed full 90 minutes for two consecutive games, for the first time in almost two years. His time in the game against Southampton showed how important he is to the Manchester City squad, but he is constantly linked with an exit, with the likes of Everton looking to lure him this summer.
Pep Guardiola is set to spend big yet again and is looking for some top-class defenders to add to his squad at the end of the season. Eliaquim Mangala, the French defender, has been decent in his time at Valencia on loan from the Etihad but it is hard to see Guardiola settle with getting him back to the club. He is sure to spend big on a defender but he will first have to assess if Kompany can be the first choice at the club next season.
The Belgium international is strong, no nonsense defender and his goal and celebration were typical of what Manchester City have missed this season. Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones have also been decent but Kompany put in solid performances recently, that highlighted Manchester City and their lack of strength in the lineup.
Known for his passing and aggression at the back, Kompany is a beast of a defender who hates opponents playing in the final third. He is a good reader of the game, which allows him to stay a step ahead of the game while his ariel ability adds an attacking threat in set pieces for Manchester City.
It is clear that the Citizens lack a player of Kompany’s quality but the question is whether Guardiola can depend on him next season. Kompany has started just 21 of Manchester City’s last 102 games and has been hampered by a number of injuries. He has made just seven starts in all competitions this season and Guardiola might not want to depend completely on him as a first-choice centre-back next season.
However, Guardiola should not even contemplate selling the Belgian, who is more than capable of playing in all four competitions, if he can keep himself fit. A few muscle injuries have often seen Kompany sit out but he is now fully fit and if he can stay strong for the rest of the season and impress Guardiola in the pre-season, he can easily become the first choice for the next campaign.
The manager will surely look to sign another defender anyway but the lack of depth in central defensive areas in the current squad might also see Guardiola look to keep Kompany for another season. At 31, he is an experienced player and might help Manchester City better their performances in the league and in Europe next season. Do you think Manchester City should sell Vincent Kompany this summer?
