Laporte is the rock of Guardiola’s new generation

PEP GUARDIOLA knows that the closer glory gets, sometimes you need know-how. You need experience. You need someone who knows what it takes to see you over the line.

Vincent Kompany knows how to get titles won. He has done it three times.

Kompany had only started nine previous Premier League games this season when the Manchester City coach named him to start against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

And with Kompany at the heart of City’s defence was Aymeric Laporte, the 24-year-old Frenchman signed from Athletic Bilbao last January for £57m. City’s future next to their triumphant present and recent past.

Laporte has been outstanding this season and was rewarded with a place in the PFA Team of the Year. He believes much of that is down to Kompany’s influence. ‘Vincent is a very good person and player,’ Laporte said.

‘He makes me improve a lot myself when I play with him. He’s just so good. On the pitch he helps me through games, always talking and advising what positions I should take.

‘He’s won so many titles and played many games at the very top level and hopefully I can play more games with him because he’s a fantastic player.

‘He’s a big captain, fantastic in and out of the pitch. He helped me settle in at Manchester City and was always there if I needed help or advice.

‘His message in the last few games has been that we must fight until the very end, to the very last kick. Have confidence in ourselves, be brave and play with courage. Fight to the very end.’

Yet regardless of what happens in the title race, Guardiola believes this team is better than the one which broke 100 points last season. ‘The next level is not a big reach because we’ve got there,’ Guardiola said.

‘Yes, of course back-to-back titles would be better. The consistency we’ve shown in the last period shows we’ve got it. The next generation of players will know the standards expected of them. They will know what these players have done.

‘Of course we want to win it. Maybe more than last season, to do something unique for this club. The difference this season from last season is one reason — Liverpool. Liverpool are much, much better. They have been incredibly consistent like we were last season and this season.

‘Now it is who will handle the pressure better.’