For the Belgian international, who has just returned from a debilitating foot injury, senses that the Blues have the physical and mental capacity to sustain their fine start to the season and challenge the Premier League’s established order.
“City is the right club for me. Sometimes you have to follow your feelings and that is what I did when I came here,” said 23-year-old Kompany who is likely to feature in today’s squad against Fulham.
“Even back when I signed for the club City had a good name abroad. Even if the team had not been doing so well there have always been names at the club who have been recognised in other countries.
Mark Hughes told me what he was trying to build when I signed and I believed him.
...Vincent Kompany
“I have always had the highest ambition for my career and this club is moving forward towards those ambitions. There was a feeling as soon as I joined this club that it is right for me. I feel comfortable here and I have enjoyed the Premier League so much.
“The ambition I have for this club is my big motivating factor. I have always wanted to be part of a team where competition for places is part of the daily routine and that is the case here and that is perfect for me.
We brought in a winning mentality in the summer. Last season we had a lot of talent in the team also but it is just that the mentality was completely different.
...Vincent Kompany
“Most of the training we do now is pretty close to what we do in a game in terms of intensity and that was not always the case last season. That changes everything for the better.”
Which, according to Kompany, means a serious Blues assault on the upper reaches of the table – alongside a couple of other likely candidates. However, he is careful not to write off any of the ‘big four’ just yet.
“Liverpool are having a hard time at the moment but I don’t see much evidence at Arsenal that they are weaker than last season,” he declared.
“Villa and Tottenham doing well so there is even more competition to get into the top four.
It was a sign of respect that I was offered the new contract recently and I look forward to paying back that faith.
...Vincent Kompany
“I am a month ahead of schedule in terms of the injury. Coming on at Wigan last week was both an achievement and a surprise. It was frustrating being out because football is not just my job it is my passion.
“If I keep working like I am now then I will be a serious option for the manager. I hope to be a reliable player when needed and then I hope to become one of the big players at this club.”
As for where in the side he finally nails down a place, Kompany is open minded.
“I prefer to play as a midfielder but if I am played as a central defender then you can expect the same level of performance,” he concluded.
