Now, before you get all defensive and vow to never read anything I write ever again, please hear me out. For Manchester City fans it has been a far too familiar statistic that pundits like to trundle out. The fact that City is ‘dodgy’ at the back without Vinny has, I think, forced the Captain back early in the past, maybe when he wasn’t entirely recovered.
Take the last two full seasons for example. Vincent has only managed to feature in a total of twenty-five Premier League fixtures in that time. Over those two periods, City averaged two points a game. Over 38 games that works out to 76 points in total. That would have kept us in the Leicester title race a few seasons back.
It’s always nice to hear the anti-Manchester City squad spout that, and it makes good copy. The fact is the last time Kompany has missed ten games or less was the 2013/14 season. Yes, that was the last season we won the Premier League title.
In fact, he has only played a total of 50 League games of City’s last 114 (up to the end of last season). This season he started well, but again is now out missing due to another injury. The difference is that instead of City struggling, we’ve dominated the opposition.
The last three games have not only seen us score fifteen but concede zero. Now that can change as quickly as the next game, as is the way of sport, but for now, there is no rush.
When you look at Kompany’s injuries since April 4th, 2009, Vinny has been listed as injured almost 40 times. That’s four or five times a season he’s out, whether it be for a game or two, or longer. His injuries list as follows:
Hamstring 6
Ankle/Foot 1
Groin 6
Hip/Thigh 5
Knee 4
Calf Muscle/Strain 15
Facial 1
Fitness 1
In the last year alone, from September 2016 to now, he picked up seven of those injuries. No one can argue that it’s getting worse. Now maybe that’s partly to blame for the player, maybe some on the club. Either way, it isn’t sustainable for the success City are pursuing or for the health of the player.
So now, if we keep moving forward the way we are, I think it’s best for Vinny to take time before returning. Of course, he also needs to watch himself on International duty. After all, that was the reason for the anger over the most recent injury.
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I am not saying that Pep needs to sell Vinny. I think he still has a place in the side and is important. Now, I am not sure his fitness and our success are as much hand in hand as it used to be. With that pressure now off his shoulders maybe we can allow him to recover fully and get back to the ever-present he was for many seasons.