Vincent Kompany is likely to sign a contract extension at Manchester City, with growing confidence that he will prolong his stay into a 12th season. Discussions have been ongoing with Kompany over a new one-year deal and all sides – including manager Pep Guardiola – want to thrash out terms.
Kompany, 32, is out of contract at the end of the season and Guardiola admits City are concerned about the persistent muscle injuries that have blighted the last five years of his career. I think it’s an issue that we have to speak with Vincent about — the club, him and his agent,” Guardiola said. “We don’t have any doubts about his quality, we miss him when he is not able to play.
“He’s important, he is our captain and on the field he gives us something extra that few central defenders around the world can give us. He’s incredible, but the reality is in the last five years he’s played few games, really few. So that is the situation we have to put on the table and the club will discuss it with his agent and make the best decision for both.”
The City captain is expected to agree a cut in wages, with a desire to remain at the Etihad Stadium trumping any financial implications of his injury record. Fitness issues have blighted Kompany throughout Guardiola’s time in charge but the central defender has continued to impress when called upon – most notably during last month’s win over Liverpool.
The 32-year-old has not featured since then, however, and has made only 14 appearances this season. Kompany said that nobody is making ‘hasty decisions’ over his future, although there is an expectation that he will be at the club come next term. Kompany is currently in his testimonial year and donating all profits to the Tackle4MCR charity, which helps the area’s homeless and rough sleepers.
Vincent Kompany’s testimonial gala dinner at the Hilton on Deansgate raised more than £200,000. The year will end with a testimonial match in August, for which Kompany hopes to invite back a collection of former team-mates. The Belgium international has spoken about the potential of Nigel de Jong, Mario Balotelli and Pablo Zabaleta making returns.
Kompany is City’s longest-serving player, having joined in 2008, just before Sheikh Mansour’s takeover. And Guardiola says that his loyalty to the club should mean City do everything they can to try agree a new deal. “I would like to feel that the club knows the sentimental issue is so important,” he added. “It’s not important for making decisions, but they have to feel, especially for the players who have been here a long time and helped us to build what we are right now and for the new people who came after.