Despite Manchester City's 15 point lead at the top of the Premier League, Pep Guardiola says the race for the title is not over. Despite Manchester City's 15 point lead at the top of the Premier League, Pep Guardiola says the race for the title is not over.
Vincent Kompany remains a part of Pep Guardiola's plans despite Manchester City breaking their transfer record to sign £57 million defender Aymeric Laporte from Athletic Bilbao.
The Belgium international has made just 11 appearances this season because of a recurrence of the muscle injuries that have troubled him in recent seasons.
Laporte started the victory over West Bromwich Albion last week, just 24 hours after completing his switch from Spain, but Kompany was brought back into the starting lineup for the 1-1 draw away against Burnley on Saturday.
City were without John Stones through illness for the last two games but Guardiola has enough confidence in Kompany to allow Eliaquim Mangala to leave for Everton on loan on transfer deadline day.
With City still in four competitions, Guardiola says the club's captain can still have a major impact on their season.
Vincent Kompany has been restricted to 11 appearances this season because of injury.
"Vincent is fit, ready," Guardiola said. "It was so important for us to play Vincent in these kind of games, and Vincent in these kinds of games -- and others kinds -- is a top, top player."
The City captain insists he is determined to fight for his place despite competition from Laporte, Stones and Nicolas Otamendi, who signed a new contract with the club in January.
Kompany, who has 18 months left on his current contract, says he won't be going anywhere in the summer.
"That's not even a debate," he said, according to the Daily Mirror. "If you're fit, you have many options and a lot of clubs. If you're not fit, you don't have many opportunities and not many clubs. If I stay fit, I'll want to play football at City. And if I'm not fit, I won't have other options.
"I don't know if I could muster the same motivation elsewhere. It may seem that I'm high maintenance, but I'm a good professional and I work so hard on my return. The longer I'm available, the more chance I'll get to play more matches."
Jonathan is ESPN FC's Manchester City correspondent. Follow him on Twitter: @jonnysmiffy.
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Source: espn.co.uk