Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany is already back at the club training three weeks ahead of his fellow teammates, who are except for those in the Copa America or the European U-21 Championships busy enjoying their summer holidays.
The Belgium captain was the subject of a lot of criticism last season taking the blame for many of City’s losses that saw the team eventually finish runners up to runaway leaders Chelsea, and Kompany wants to ensure that he is in top physical condition before the new season kicks off in August.
The 29-year-old was suspended for the recent international against Wales and decided to get a jump start on his colleagues by reporting for training early.
‘You need your holidays, I was suspended from national team so I had a few more holidays than the rest of the guys, so I’m giving myself the chance to come back in the exact condition I want to be before the start of the season,’ he told the Manchester City website.
‘This is what I live for,’ he said. ‘Every time I spend away from the club is a moment where I want to be back on the pitch.’
The Belgium defender will have the opportunity to be back on the pitch soon as City travels to Australia where they will play AS Roma and Real Madrid in the International Champions Cup.
‘You want to measure your level at that time,’ he said.
‘Ever since I’ve been at the club we’ve always tried to make the gap between the top clubs like Real Madrid smaller and in some way achieved it, but it’d be nice now to bridge that gap.’
