Pep Guardiola hopes 'incredible' Vincent Kompany will stay at Manchester City - 7M sport

Pep Guardiola hopes 'incredible' Vincent Kompany will stay at Manchester City



Posted Wednesday, January 09, 2019 by Skysports.com

Pep Guardiola hopes 'incredible' Vincent Kompany will stay at Manchester City

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola wants Vincent Kompany to extend his contract, which expires at the end of the season.

Kompany has made 338 appearances for City since his arrival in 2008 and has captained the side since 2011.

The 32-year-old is the most successful skipper in the club's history, having led his side to three Premier League titles, three League Cups and an FA Cup.

Asked if he wants Kompany to stay at City, Guardiola said: "I would like it.

"He is our captain, he has spent 11 years here.

"We saw with the last two games, his problem is that he can only play in one of them [Kompany was in the line-up against Liverpool last week but then sat out the FA Cup win over Rotherham].

"His only problem is his physical injuries."

Guardiola has managed many world-class defenders during his career at Barcelona and Bayern Munich - including Carlos Puyol, Gerard Pique and Philipp Lahm - but rates Kompany among the best.

"Only (Aymeric) Laporte has a better left foot than Vincent," Guardiola added.

"Every central defender has quality but no doubt Vincent is special.

"The charisma, the winning, it is incredible. He is one of the best central defenders I have ever seen."

City play the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at home against Burton Albion on Wednesday night, live on Sky Sports Football.

Guardiola indicated Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan would play, as they try to regain match fitness following injuries.

Nicolas Otamendi and Kyle Walker - who have had less game time in recent weeks - are also expected to start.

City are still active in four competitions while title rivals Liverpool have only the Premier League and Champions League to worry about.

Pep Guardiola hopes 'incredible' Vincent Kompany will stay at Manchester City
Pep Guardiola thinks Manchester City can maintain a title challenge despite their busy schedule

But Guardiola thinks his team can fight on four fronts, saying: "If everyone is fit and not injured, we can cope with it.

"The problem is, if you have 10 injured players, it's almost impossible. When everyone is fit, it's better.

"Now everyone is involved. the players don't know who will play against Burton. Then, after four days, we have another final at home to Wolves.

"I like to be in the four competitions as far as possible. When Wigan put us out of the FA Cup last season, I was sad.

"I take the cups seriously. Against Rotherham, for example, we played with nine players who didn't play against Liverpool [last Thursday] and the nine were a good selection.

"It was perfect for the rhythm for Kevin (De Bruyne), (Ilkay) Gundogan, Nico (Otamendi), Kyle (Walker) - perfect."



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