Can Vincent Kompany ever get back to his best form?

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany is once again sidelined through injury

At one stage of his football career, Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany was considered to be one of the best centre-backs in world football.

He seemed to have all the attributes of a top defender, pace, power and leadership skills in abundance.

For nearly two-and-half years the 30-year-old has endured a battle against his body, with injury after injury hampering his career.

Kompany has endured 37 injuries

Kompany missed Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Borussia Monchengladbach with a knee problem that will keep him sidelined for a few weeks. The injury was the 37^th of Kompany’s City career according to Physioroom.com.

That is an incredible statistic. However, it is understandable considering the amount of time he has spent on the sidelines through injury in recent years. His body just does seem to want him to play football anymore.

Kompany has suffered thigh, calf and knee problems in the recent part of his career. Every time he recovers from an injury he seems to suffer a different injury or aggravate his last problem. It just seems to be a never-ending story of injury woe for the centre-back. It just shows no end in sight to his problems to either.

Guardiola will only have so much patience

No doubt City boss Pep Guardiola wants Kompany to return to fitness and be back in his squad. Before all his injury problems he was a superb centre-back and leader for the Citizens. However, whether the same Kompany returns when he does finally get back to full fitness remains to be seen.

Manchester City have tried to sign new centre-backs in the likes of Eliaquim Mangala, John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi among others arriving at the Etihad Stadium for big fees. However, none of the big money signings have been able to fill the gap Kompany leaves during his absences from the team through injury.

City boss Guardiola is attempting to build a team that will dominate English and European football. He is unlikely to be keen on hanging around waiting for Kompany to recover from injury. The Catalan boss is more likely to go out and spend big in an attempt to strengthen his backline once more.

Guardiola is often ruthless when it comes to making tough decisions. He will not be sentimental about it if he decides that he feels he has lost patience with Kompany and his constant injury problems.

The City boss will obviously pick Kompany when he is available. However, it is unlikely he is going to build the defence around the Belgium international.

Unlikely to play much of a part in City’s campaign

Manchester City are currently the favourites to win the Premier League title at odds of 15/8 this season. If they do then Kompany is unlikely to have had much of a hand or foot in the triumph, as he has spent much of the campaign sidelined through injury.

Kompany has played a key role in City’s previous two Premier League title triumphs. However, sadly it looks unlikely he will play a part in their third title victory if indeed Guardiola’s side, in fact, does win the title this season.

It seems that Vincent Kompany is playing less and less of a part at City. It would be a shame if the centre-back failed to ever return to his brilliant best with the Citizens. Hopefully, in the near future Kompany can avoid injuries and get back to somewhere near his best.

If not then I hope that Manchester City fans remember the centre-back for the trophies he has helped the club win, not for the amount of injuries that have plagued the star in the latter part of his career.

Can Vincent Kompany ever get back to his best form?