Zinchenko has blossomed in right Kompany
MANCHESTER CITY youngster Oleksandr Zinchenko burst into tears when Vincent Kompany announced he was quitting the club in an emotional speech after the FA Cup final.
Zinchenko, 22, revealed how he was mentored by the Belgian defender when Pep Guardiola asked the midfielder to convert to a left-back following a long-term injury to Benjamin Mendy.
So when Kompany, below, announced to his team-mates that he was leaving to become player-manager of Anderlecht in the Wembley dressing room after City had completed their domestic treble in May, there was not a dry eye in the house.
Zinchenko said:
“I was crying to be honest, because nobody was waiting for that. For me, Vincent is absolutely a life legend – and I am so lucky to have played with him. Can he be a manager here one day? Yes, why not? He can be that because he is the smartest guy I know.
“Last season he helped me a lot on and off the pitch. He taught me about the position [left-back] and a few times he stayed with me after some training sessions.
“He would work with me for around 40 minutes, just trying to help me understand the spaces and what I have to do.”
Twelve months ago, Zinchenko looked to be on his way out of the Etihad. Signed from Russian club Ufa for just £1.7million in 2016, he had nailed down a place as an attacking midfielder in Ukraine’s midfield but the competition for places in Manchester was much tougher.
City then accepted a £16m bid from Wolves – but Zinchenko opted to stay. Guardiola was won over by the sheer will of the Ukrainian’s character and thought the confident kid could be the answer to his problems at left-back.
It is fair to say Zinchenko has never let his manager down. He goes into the new season having just signed a new five-year contract and has become something of a lucky charm for Guardiola – having won all 22 Premier League games he has started.
Only City team-mate David Silva has won more successive league games – 23. But Zinchenko said: “I keep hearing the question of whether I am still a midfielder or now a left-back. I just think it is good for all football players when you can play different positions.
“It is a massive dream to be part of this squad and to be part of this huge family.
“I was dreaming about that – but now I just have to work a lot because hard work is important. Every single day you have to fight for your place.”