Boyata stepped into Roberto Mancini’s injury-hit squad over the holidays and the 19-year-old Academy prospect was a star performer in the 1-0 third-round FA Cup victory at Middlesbrough.
Belgium international Kompany, delighted to see the youngster making such swift progress, is determined to help Dedryck’s career develop - whether the youngster likes it or not!
Vincent said: “He listens and learns and then he does it right. He’s a very clever guy, he knows a lot himself already. But I go to him with advice whether he wants it or not - I don’t give him the choice! He picks up what I tell him really well.”
Confident Boyata, who was heading for home on Christmas Eve when the boss called him up, was so unfazed by his Riverside debut that he asked senior partner Kompany to change from right to left.
Vince smiled: “We switched sides at Middlesbrough - he asked me to! And it was his debut, not mine. I played on the left side when Joleon (Lescott) was injured against Wolves and Stoke.
“Anyway, I like to think that I’m a good-enough footballer to play well and get out of any tricky situations whichever side I play on.
I’m really happy that Dedryck is doing so well. He’s got the right attitude, and that’s half the job done. He doesn’t talk too much yet but that will come in time
“As I said, he listens a lot to make up for it. He’s got a lot about him, and with patience, hard work and discipline, he can achieve whatever his goals are.
“Dedryck deserved all the credit he was given for his debut. I wasn’t surprised at how well he played. I’ve seen him in training, although to come out and do it in a game is a different story. He’s made the first step in a long, long journey.”
