Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola warns captain Vincent Kompany that he is not guaranteed a place in the starting line-up as he returns to full fitness.
The Belgium international has always been considered as the first choice centre-half when fit. However, the 30-year-old has been injured for nearly five months following a thigh surgery in May.
The injury was sustained in the semi-final loss against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League last season.
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Kompany has been missed since that game in the heart of the City defence, but John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi have performed very well at the back for City this season.
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With an interview with SkySports, Guardiola said that he welcomed the selection headache that Kompany's return to fitness will bring. When he was asked if this would be very tough to pick between his centre-halves, Guardiola said, "For me, when he's ready, how difficult? Absolutely nothing.”
Kompany’s status as captain of Manchester City maybe not enough to book a place in the starting line-up as Guardiola is adamant that players will be selected on merit and not reputation.
He added, "They have to compete with each other and we'll see on the pitch what is the best for that game. That is the best way to arrive in April or May with a chance to fight to win the titles. We need the players competing with each other.”
“They have to know, if they don't play good, that there's another one beside me and the next time he is going to play. That's the only way to arrive at the end of the season, fighting.”
John Stones wishes to lead Manchester City in the future
John Stones has started well in his Manchester City career since coming from Everton in the summer transfer window. The 22-year-old admits that being the captain of the team is among his ambitions.
He said, "I'd like to be captain one day. Every player wants to be captain of their team and to do so for years to come.
The former Everton player also said, "These are dreams you dream about when you're a little boy. You have to deserve the right to be captain but I'd love to be one day and I'll keep working hard to try to be."
Regarding the Manchester City captain, Pep said, "I need Vincent because I know his quality. I need him to put pressure on John Stones, Nico Otamendi, (Aleksandar) Kolarov - all of them.
