VINCENT KOMPANY has named his all-time Manchester City XI of stars he has played with – and left out some big names.
Kompany has today announced he is leaving City after eleven trophy-laden years which have seen him establish himself as a club legend.
His last game was leading Pep Guardiola’s side to the domestic treble with a 6-0 FA Cup thrashing of Watford.
But though this current crop of stars have created history for their dominance of the game in England, Kompany says only five will make it into his all-star team.
Those left out include brilliant keeper Ederson and vital midfielder Fernandinho as the Belgian defender calls upon several stars of the past.
He said: “I’m going to leave out names that probably really should be in there and I apologise in advance.”
Goalkeeper
Joe Hart
“I think Ederson is well on the way to becoming City’s greatest ever goalkeeper but Joe was defining in changing the culture of this club.
“He was a lot more than just a great keeper, he was a leader for this team and in his best years he was unbelievable for us.”
Defenders
Gael Clichy, John Stones, Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta
“I have to go with Gael Clichy. The amount of years he played before City I was already impressed by him and when he played with us in all fairness there wasn’t much between him and Kolarov .
“But I am going for Gael because he was a rash, such an annoying player to play against.
“Laporte is great, Otamendi is great and Lescott is a legend as well but I am going for Stones because he is probably the most gifted defender, maybe not just defending but the package.
“Sorry Kyle but I give it to the old guys for now. You’ve done 12 months, just calm down. In his best days I just remember Zabaleta having such a big impact and I recognise that.”
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Midfielders
Yaya Toure, Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva
“In any team Fernandinho should play but I am going to go ridiculously offensive.
“I have seen Kevin do stuff I haven’t seen any player do, let alone in City XI it might be my world XI too.
“Yaya everybody knows his quality. In his best days, he has to be number one in the midfield.
“David, the wizard, if you don’t put him in your team you don’t have the right to build a team.”
Forwards
Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez
“Right wing Raheem Sterling. I could put a lot of people in there but he is the first name that comes into my head.
“Striker there is no doubt it goes to Kun. Even if he never kicked a ball again, just for that one moment when he scored against QPR.
“Left wing, got to make a decision. I loved Edin Dzeko when he was at the club, Sane is a great player, Nasri the second league title was phenomenal but I have to go with Tevez.
“He had such an impact in the days when we didn’t score as many goals as we do do now and whenever we needed to score one to win the game it was always Tevez.”
