Source: Man_City
Kompany stock continues to rise for City
| Submit Comments| Comments (23)| Printable Version1/1Play SlideshowClose MapVincent Kompany in action against Chelsea's Nicolas AnelkaVincent Kompany was just 18 years old when he first crossed swords with Roberto Mancini. But even then, Manchester City?s future boss knew the young Belgian had what it took to be a success at the highest level. It was a cool September night at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium in 2004, when Mancini took his Inter Milan side to face Anderlecht in a group stage match. Inter won comfortably enough that night, chalking up a 3-1 victory over an Anderlecht side which also contained Mbo Mpenza, brother of future City striker Emile. But it was the teenage Kompany, playing in midfield, who caught Mancini?s eye. The City boss recalled: ?He was young but he had good technique and a good attitude, even then. And that has improved.? Wind the clock forward six years, and Kompany has become arguably City?s most consistent defender. He was outstanding on Thursday night as the Blues drew 1-1 with Juventus in the Europa League, having formed a solid centre-back partnership with Kolo Toure. Together, they have played every minute of City?s Premier League campaign so far ? and it is no coincidence that the defence looks noticeably tighter. The Blues have conceded just two goals in six top-flight games this season, a record that only leaders Chelsea can match. And Toure feels that Kompany can take a great deal of the credit for that. Kompany intelligence ?Vincent is a really intelligent player and he is doing really well this season,? Toure said. ?But even last season, he was really strong. ?It?s not easy for a player to move from midfield to centre-half. You need time to get used to it. ?I think he?s doing really well at the back, which is really good for the team.? Kompany may have joined City as a midfielder, but it was his versatility that convinced former boss Mark Hughes to pay Hamburg £6m for him in August 2008. Struggling His performances at the back over the second half of last season and in the early weeks of the current campaign suggest that Hughes got a bargain. City?s impressive defensive record is doing much to keep them in touch with the early leaders as they prepare to face Newcastle at Eastlands tomorrow. For while the Blues have found the mean streak that proved elusive last term, they are struggling to score goals. A tally of seven in the league is two fewer than tomorrow?s mid-table visitors. It?s an issue Mancini has noted, and is keen to remedy. The City boss has pointed to the fact that Emmanuel Adebayor?s leg injury kept him out of action for more than a fortnight, while Mario Balotelli is around a month away from fitness. All the same, four of City?s seven league goals this season have been scored by Carlos Tevez, and Mancini would like to spread the burden around a little. ?If you don?t concede a goal, you can probably win,? Mancini smiled. ?We are working very well in defence, but we have to improve in attack. ?I would like us to score more than one goal in a game. ?But I don?t think we have been helped by the fact that we have so many strikers injured. ?When they recover, when Manu is 100 per cent, when Mario is fit again, we can change this situation. ?At this moment, Carlos is playing well and is important for us.? Mancini will have to make a change at left-back tomorrow, with a hamstring injury ruling out Pablo Zabaleta. Jerome Boateng is a contender, having played 84 minutes against Juventus on Thursday night, as is Joleon Lescott, who has been an unused substitute for City?s last two games after recovering from a groin injury. Determination Gareth Barry, who finished the Juve game at left-back after Boateng went off, is expected to resume in midfield. The match will see City Academy graduate Joey Barton return to Eastlands in the Newcastle midfield. Barton got a hot reception on his last visit to City with the Toon two seasons ago, and had a miserable night as he suffered a broken foot during a 2-1 defeat. But Jim Cassell, the man who brought him through the Blues? youth set-up, had nothing but praise for Barton in an interview earlier this week, hailing his drive and determination. And Newcastle team-mate Kevin Nolan is certain that the midfielder will not be fazed by any stick he gets. Former Bolton captain Nolan said: ?I am sure Joey will be able to handle anything they throw at him, whether it be the fans or the players. ?He?s an experienced lad now, and he knows what he has to do. He is going to be massive for us, and we hope he will put in another good performance for us tomorrow.? City midfielder James Milner ? an altogether less controversial figure ? will also be coming up against a former club. And Mancini believes that the 24-year-old has a maturity beyond his age. ?James is a fantastic player, a strong player,? Mancini said. ?He always works for the team. He?s an incredible player. ?I know James very well, because I followed him during the second half of last season when he was at Aston Villa. ?He is in a similar situation to Adam Johnson, in that he is still young, and he can improve. ?James can play in almost every position ? in the middle, on the right wing, as a second striker. He is a very important player for us. ?He a more developed player mentally than Johnson, because he has more experience at the top level. He has played for Newcastle, he has played for Aston Villa. He has played in the Premier League for years.? Who will be the key men in City's clash with Newcastle? Have your say.
