Vincent Kompany

Captain, leader, defensive rock - Vincent Kompany is one of the most decorated skippers in the club's history. Strong in the air, comfortable on the ball, accurate in the tackle and always ready to nip in and pinch the ball off a striker's toes, the Belgian was a bargain buy when bought from Hamburg at just £6million in 2008. A natural leader, he was handed the armband in 2011 and has since captained the side to two Premier League titles and two Capital One Cup triumphs. Multi-lingual and multi-talented, Kompany began his career with Anderlecht, a series of composed performances in the Belgian Premier League and Champions League, attracting interest from across the continent. Two years at Hamburg was enough to convince Mark Hughes to bring Vincent to City in August 2008, one of the Welshman's most astute buys in his time at the Club. Initially a defensive midfielder, Vincent shifted back into central defense with aplomb and became the figure around which successive Blues back lines have been built. Having helped win the FA Cup in 2011, he was a key figure in the title triumph of 2012, bagging the winning goal in a Manchester derby victory that proved vital in the final dramatic outcome. Handed the club captaincy by Roberto Mancini, Vincent continued in the role following the arrival of Manuel Pellegrini in 2013 and led City to the Premier League the following year. He showed his worth as the man for the big occasion with impressive displays against Europe's elite in the Champions League, scored the second goal against West Ham in the victory that clinched the title, and lifted the Capital One Cup in 2014 and 2016. Injuries have kept Vincent away for frustrating spells in recent seasons, but each time he has fought back to reclaim his place at the heart of the side. He made a welcome return to action toward the end of the 2016/17 campaign, rediscovering some of his best form and winning his place back in the Belgium national side. And though he was sidelined for several weeks during the 2017/18 campaign, he returned to lift the Carabao Cup as well as score in the 3-0 win over Arsenal - his sixth winner's medal while a City player. Kompany became City's most successful captain ever when he lifted the Carabao Cup trophy and Premier League crown in 2017/18. He also led Belgium in the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia.