On The Move: Vincent Kompany

Date of Birth: 10/04/1986
Nationality: Belgian
Position: Defensive midfielder, centre-back
Present Club: Manchester City
Former Clubs: Anderlecht, Hamburger SV
Current Squad Number: 33

Being likened to Franz Beckenbauer is not a comparison which many footballers could honestly admit to, but for one Belgian defender it is a justified truth and one he can be honoured about. Vincent Kompany, once described by Belgium legend Paul Van Himst as being able to “beat three opponents with one pass”, has switched life in the German Bundesliga for the starry lights of the Premiership with Manchester City.

Kompany is aged just 22 but has managed to place a foothold in European football as one of the continent’s most promising talents. The term ‘potential’ and ’promising’ are branded about on up-and-coming footballers too often and perhaps the cliché of using them should be avoided, but Kompany is an exception to the rule having shown his talent and establishing himself on both the domestic and international stage. His strengths lie in the centre of defence or as a defensive midfielder where he has the vision to break up attacks and precisely pass to team-mates to launch an attack.

The versatile defender came through the ranks of Anderlecht, where he donned the shirt on 73 occasions and scored 5 goals and contributed significantly to their title wins in 2004 and 2006. Kompany’s invaluable role in the team’s league triumph in 2004 was recognised through individual honours after being awarded the prestigious Belgian Golden Shoe and the Belgian Ebony Shoe. He achieved his first cap for Belgium when only 17 and has become a prominent figure in the nation’s defence. Unsurprisingly and as expected, Europe’s biggest clubs were rumoured to be targeting Kompany after his thriving rise into the fore of Belgian football. The inevitable departure from his homeland was confirmed in the summer of 2006 when he joined German outfit Hamburger SV.

A daunting move to replace compatriot and Bayern Munich-bound Daniel Van Buyten at Hamburger SV was a transfer which did not deter Kompany or his club and he set about making an immediate impact for the German club. On his competitive debut he scored in the German League Cup and he began to restore Hamburg’s faith in him after they paid a record transfer fee for the defender. Kompany adapted quickly to the Bundesliga but was frustratingly limited to only six starts in his first season for Hamburg in 2006 after suffering an Achilles injury. He recovered for the 2007/2008 campaign and made 22 appearances during the season but by the season’s end a move was anticipated after a disagreement erupted regarding his call-up to the Belgian Olympic team. Hamburg had ordered Kompany to return from Beijing in time for their first Bundesliga match of the season despite Belgium advancing into the semi-final. This fall-out paved the way for a move to England’s top flight.

A move to the Premiership had always beckoned for Kompany following Chelsea’s interest in him whilst at Anderlecht. A move to Stamford Bridge was rejected by the Belgian as he felt he needed first-team football immediately and prioritised his long-term future rather than settling for glamorous offers at such an early stage in his career. Two seasons later having matured and developed, Kompany was heading to England through the doors of Manchester City. Kompany stated that he was very impressed by the ambition of the club and ‘the confidence you feel from him [Hughes] and the ambitious type of character that he is will make you a better player” as the key reasons behind why he wanted to join.

Having originated from Anderlecht’s youth academy before rapidly progressing into the senior team and shortly after a place in Belgium’s national team, Kompany has remarkable experience in a career that has seen him ply his trade in Germany’s reputable Bundesliga and thus has the knowledge of how to play in one of Europe’s finest leagues. With 23 international caps already to his honour and Champions League appearances for Anderlecht and Hamburg, Kompany’s experiences have resulted in an “unbelievably mature” attitude despite his age and will prove to be useful in his Premiership career. Whether he will be a rock at either the heart of defence or midfield for Manchester City, Kompany is in good hands to develop his already impressive talents and he has the opportunity to shine in another league at the age of 22.

On his debut in the home victory against West Ham, Kompany played outstanding and demonstrated his versatility by performing admirably in midfield and also defence, and his efforts were rewarded with man of the match. Manager Mark Hughes declared “I think everybody today saw what an accomplished football player he is and what an asset he’s going to be for us.“ It is too early to state whether Vincent will be successful at Manchester City, but his credentials, vision and undoubted ability indicate he has a big future with the club.