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Manchester City Fan View: Citizens coping well without Vincent Kompany

Manchester City are coping well without Kompany
Manchester City are coping well without Kompany

Manchester City have now conceded the joint lowest number of goals in the English top flight following yet another clean sheet, as they claimed a club record equalling 11 consecutive wins in all competitions.

City’s backline has been solid and secure thus far in the 2017/18 campaign. With just four goals conceded in the Premier League – two deflected and one own goal – only title and local rivals Manchester United can match the Blues’ defensive solidity so far this term.

This stands as a huge contrast to last season, especially considering the consistent headlines that had been written by many about a suspect defence who could concede at any moment. Perhaps even more surprising, however, is that Pep Guardiola is achieving such solidity without his captain, Vincent Kompany.

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John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi have formed a terrific partnership in their skipper’s absence through injury; so much so that the Belgian will likely struggle to displace either if and when he finally returns to full fitness.

Many football fans – City supporters included – had previously seen Otamendi as competent alongside Kompany, but reckless and a liability without him, whilst Stones has been constantly criticised about his apparent inability to defend.

Yet in Guardiola’s second season in charge of the Citizens, they appear the perfect partnership. They have both demonstrated an imperious passing range, capable of playing defence splitting passes through the heart of opposition line-ups, as well as perfectly placed diagonal balls to the likes of Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus on the flanks.

It would be naïve to suggest that City’s backline is underrated or unpraised, simply because of the extensive expenses which were used to build it. Surely something that costs that much money ought to be performing well at the highest level.

But even if Kompany did cost a mere 6 million in comparison to the masses spent on his teammates, it certainly seems that he is no longer the best fit for Guardiola’s intricate system. The impact of reduced fitness, injuries, inferior distribution and improving teammates have seemingly been his downfall.

Kompany had recently returned to first team training, although coach Guardiola has stated that he is not ready to feature on the field. One gets the sense that the Spanish manager has grown frustrated at the Belgian’s international antics, flying out to participate in his nation’s training sessions and matches, despite the risk of aggravating injuries.

The general consensus in football is to never change an on-form centre back partnership and with the boys in blue performing at such a high level, it is difficult to see a way back into the starting eleven, even if it is their captain in question.