Vincent Kompany is back. Like, really back. The Manchester City captain has started the last three matches, completed all of them and has looked better and better each time. The Belgian seems to have gotten over his physical issues now, and is expected to play the remaining games of the season.
And it's no coincidence that the City defense has looked a lot stronger with Kompany being a part of it. Nicolas Otamendi is usually distracted, out of position and making reckless tackles all over the pitch, but with Kompany by his side the Argentine is a really good central defender. John Stones also looked amazing alonside Kompany, and City's horrible, terrible, super bad defense is not really that bad with Vinny.
Kompany was fantastic again on Thursday's Derby against Manchester United, dealing with the thread of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Henrikh Mkhitaryan with composure and ease, showing his experience as a captain and an amazing defender. Pep Guardiola is clearly happy to have Kompany back, and praised his performance on Thursday:
“He’s a central defender and we speak about duels with the striker - Kompany usually wins these duels. That is why he is an outstanding defender. It is not easy against players like Rashford, who are so quick but he is a very intelligent player.”
Pep Guardiola, Source: ManCity
We have waited for a real central defender at City all season, and now we have Kompany. Hopefully he's there next season too.