Vincent Kompany admits injury spell feels like 'failure' as Manchester City captain steps up return: 'You always think, what could I have done better?'

  • Man City captain Vincent Kompany has lengthy list of time spent on sidelines
  • He is now back in training, hoping to win back place in centre of City's defence
  • But the Belgium defender has admitted his injuries feel like 'failures' at times
  • Kompany, however, does not feel under pressure to rush back another return  

Vincent Kompany has admitted his injuries feel like 'failures' but believes he is under no increased pressure as he looks to launch his latest comeback.

The Manchester City captain has a lengthy list of time spent on the sidelines and has not played for Pep Guardiola's pacesetters since picking up a calf injury while playing for his country against Gibraltar in August.

He is now back in training, hoping to win back his place in the centre of City's defence following the latest international break and is cautiously optimistic that his problems are behind him.

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has admitted his injuries feel like 'failures'

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has admitted his injuries feel like 'failures'

Kompany picked up a calf injury while playing for Belgium against Gibraltar in August

Kompany picked up a calf injury while playing for Belgium against Gibraltar in August

'An injury is a failure,' Kompany told Sportsmail. 'It's not one that you are responsible for but you always think "what could I have done better?"'


Guardiola has hinted that should Kompany suffer another setback, he may well enter the market in January for another defender and could renew his interest in West Brom's former United stopper Jonny Evans. 

But Kompany does not feel under added pressure this time around. 'I'd feel under pressure if I had been out boozing every day but I haven't,' he said. 

'Unfortunately, I can't predict it. I do believe there are other players injured who look at the way I deal with it and it's good to be able to help them. There's a role to play in everything you do.'

The player himself wants a long run back in the side as unbeaten City continue to seek success on all fronts.

'I'm a grafter and I back myself,' Kompany said. 'I'll get there. At the moment, when I put my boots on I feel light, I feel good, I feel as though I am not carrying an injury and that makes me confident. I'd like to be less injured, definitely, but I wouldn't change anything about the way I feel when I get back.'

Kompany has been a familiar figure in the City stands due to his injury problems over the years

Kompany has been a familiar figure in the City stands due to his injury problems over the years

Much has been made of Kompany's injury woes and whether there is an underlying cause, but the 31-year-old revealed he has not made any changes to his rehabilitation.

'The rehab has always been good or else I wouldn't have come back!' he said. 'It's a constant thing — looking for improvement. I look back and say if I was sleeping at 11, I'll sleep at 10. Or if I was eating a pack of crisps a week I won't. It is what it is. I don't feel I should beat myself up about it.'

Guardiola's City have excelled this season and remain undefeated. But their skipper believes they need to remain focused.

'He (Guardiola) will be the first to say we have won nothing,' he said. 'Let's not get carried away.'

The defender is now back in training, hoping to win back his place in Pep Guardiola's side 

The defender is now back in training, hoping to win back his place in Pep Guardiola's side 

Kompany, speaking at the Northwest Football Awards, paid tribute to City teenager Phil Foden, who picked up the rising star gong after starring in England Under 17s stunning World Cup victory. 

'I can only say all the praise is deserved,' he said. 'The talent, the attitude, it's a fair assessment.'

In recent times, City have struggled to produce homegrown talent and Kompany believes the Stockport youngster can be the breakthrough they crave. 'It's been a long time,' he said. 

'City needs a success story.' He did, however, issue a word of warning. 'He is so humble, so down-to-earth and because he's being watched over by the right people it's potentially a perfect match but it's so hard to get it right. 

 The 31-year-old revealed he has not made any changes to rehabilitation despite injury woes

 The 31-year-old revealed he has not made any changes to rehabilitation despite injury woes

'It's like with your kids — maybe you think they are going to be great but you don't want to say it and take that hunger away.'

Kompany also paid tribute to coach Brian Kidd, to whom he presented a liftetime achievement award along with Class of 92 members Phil and Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs.

'The wealth of experience he has is incredible,' he said. 

Phil Foden collected the Rising Star of the Year award at the Northwest Football Awards

Phil Foden collected the Rising Star of the Year award at the Northwest Football Awards

'He's worked for generations at United under Sir Alex Ferguson. He played for Sir Matt Busby and then he's witnessed a resurrection at City. 

'If you ask him how was Busby, how was Ferguson, he has an answer. You can ask him about the greatest players you could never gain access to and he'll have a great story about them.

'The problem with Kiddo is that he doesn't open up unless you ask him. I tell him — "you have to share your knowledge".'  

Kompany also paid tribute to coach Brian Kidd, who previously worked with Sir Alex Ferguson

Kompany also paid tribute to coach Brian Kidd, who previously worked with Sir Alex Ferguson

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