Reborn Kompany deserves this

We’ve waxed lyrical about Manchester City’s artist, Kevin De Bruyne, this season. We have admired the way Pep Guardiola has set up his team to play brave, attacking football. But the person I am most pleased for is vincent Kompany.

What a fantastic professional. What a player. What a story.

For a while, it looked like Kompany’s career was being snatched out of his hands because of injuries. At Christmas it was worked out that he had suffered more than 40 in total since joining City in 2008.

The number of times he had to go back to the drawing board must have been so draining. He can only have felt helpless being forced to sit on the sidelines rather than being able to play an active role.

Now, the 32- year- old club captain must feel like a player reborn. He has overcome so many personal battles and each time bounced back consistently at a top level.

The respect that Kompany has within the club is huge. He has been one of the pioneers of their recent history, along with the likes of Sergio Aguero and David Silva.

But Kompany is special. Not only does he fight his own personal battles, he carries the battle of the club too. You cannot help but admire the way he has carried himself.

He deserves to enjoy this.