When it comes to goalkeeping greats, Ederson has broken the mould – our brilliant Brazilian speaks to CITY MAGAZINE about his place in the grand scheme of things…

For those old enough to remember, there was once a No.1 single in the UK charts called ‘I am the One and Only’ by a singer called Chesney Hawkes.

It was pretty much a one-hit wonder, but was a huge hit, nonetheless.

Ederson is way too humble to claim that he is the one and only, but the truth is, for many City fans, that’s exactly what he is.

He is a goalkeeper like no other in world football and while there have been similar and emerging talents, none have quite reached the level of our No.1.

In short, he has redefined what it means to be a goalkeeper, with his ability to stop shots matched by technique any creative midfielder or forward would love to have and a passing range that is arguably the best in the world from the back.

Completely pivotal to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, he is beloved by our supporters, envied (but highly respected) by fans of other clubs and inspirational to legions of youngsters who want to be him.

Never before or since – at least on these shores – has there been a goalkeeper like Ederson Santana de Moraes.

Now in his eighth season at City, he’s closing in on 350 appearances and has 18 winner’s medals under his belt as well as three Golden Glove awards.

If Guardiola has influenced how a nation play, their football, Ederson has done the same in the keeper department.

His manager once said, “This guy is crazy!” after watching him shift the ball away from a striker on the goal-line with a calmness that almost defied logic. There are of course, countless examples of his coolness - his backheel to Kyle Walker at Newcastle while under pressure outside his box at the end of September was yet another 'only Ederson' moment.

And in situations when all around him are losing their heads, he is laid-back and almost horizontal in terms of being relaxed.

Then there is his passing...

Which other keeper would even attempt to make the passes he does?

He can thread a ball through the eye of a needle with the precision of Kevin De Bruyne.

He can chip the ball to feet with the accuracy of Rory McIlroy and can send an 80-yard pass to feet with the perfection of NFL legendary quarterback Tom Brady.

So, how exactly does he do the things he does?

“It’s all part of a process and I think I am part of that process,” began Ederson.

“For me, it began with Rogerio Cena at Sao Paolo, then with Manuel Neuer at Bayern and we keep improving the situation and the way that we play.

“Then there is the way that Pep Guardiola likes us to play here at City and the fact that there is always going to be somebody available for me to make a pass to – short, medium or long – this also helps that process and me to develop.”

But processes or not, Ederson has a uniqueness about the way he plays that has never really been seen before.

Sometimes, from a technical point of view, it feels like we have a creative midfielder in goal with the touch, control and range of passes he has in his arsenal.

So, where exactly does that all come from?

“For me, it all began with futsal,” he smiled. “With this, you have a smaller pitch and a smaller ball which makes you think fast and make faster decisions and that helped me a lot to develop in my career and for the way that I play today.”

And, for other keepers, therein lies the problem.

Many managers and coaches want an Ederson in goal, but the truth is goalkeepers of his pedigree are few and far between.

To play from the back effectively, the goalkeeper is the key to everything – to pick the right passes, play the ball out under pressure or receive a back pass and deal with it in a controlled and productive way.

Watch any game at any level, and it’s fair to say that many teams aspire to play the way City do, but to do that effectively, you need players with very good technical ability – and your goalkeeper needs to be exceptional at the roles he needs to fulfil.

“It’s quite interesting to see this evolution and there are many other keepers who are practicing and developing their game,” he said.

“One example is Fabio at Fluminense – he is 43 years-old now – but he has adapted his game and has changed to playing more with his feet, which shows that with practice, it is possible to change the way you play as a goalkeeper.

“Can it be learned or taught? I think so, but I am lucky in that I have a strong passing leg and the way that I connect with the ball gives me this type of action when I play it, but I believe that with practice, it can be done, yes.”

The number of kids who want to be their idol is astounding, with ‘Ederson 31’ jerseys everywhere on matchdays.

They want to be like him and they want to be him – and his relaxed, almost playful persona off the pitch also make him incredibly popular with youngsters – it is something that is a great source of pride for Ederson.

“It’s very inspiring to see the kids wearing my name on their shirt, and whenever I can, I make sure I give them my time and attention,” he says.

“In these days of constant technology, mobile phones and games, it’s important to be a role model and give them the same idols I had when I was growing up in order to encourage them to get out and play sport.

“I’m very happy to be an inspiration to them.”

Ederson’s technical prowess has long been a topic of conversation between fans, pundits and players.

Many believe he could be our best set-piece taker, while his team-mates are unanimous in the belief he is – if not the best penalty-taker at the club – pretty close to it.

Of course, he finally got the chance to prove it last season in the Champions League penalty shoot-out with Real Madrid – tucking home his effort with ease past opposite number Andriy Lunin – and again in the FA Community Shield against Manchester United when he beat opposite Andre Onana as City won on spot-kicks.

His hero at Sao Paolo – Rogerio Cena (pictured below) – famously scored 103 goals for his club during a 25-year career and the twinkle in Ederson’s eye suggests he believes he could be equally effective.

"I have always suggested I could take the fifth penalty kick in a shootout,” says Ederson.

“Potentially the decider. That is the one with more pressure, but for me, I’m the serenity guy, so when the pressure comes and hits me, I can deflect it with calmness and that’s the difference.

“It’s quite interesting that I was able to score those two goals, and maybe there will be opportunities for more.”

Bert Trautmann, Frank Swift, Joe Corrigan, Joe Hart… City’s long and proud list of wonderful goalkeepers stretches back almost a century.

Ederson’s name sits among that pantheon of greats and has led to a special connection with the City fans over the years.

“Guardiola brought City to another level and in doing so, he brought me to another level,” he said.

“But there are other keepers that I admire, and I saw Joe (Hart) a lot, watching his plays on YouTube and I am fortunate to be at a Club that is continually trying to improve and reach new levels – and I am constantly trying to improve and reach new levels as well.

“I feel that affection from our fans, of course, and especially the younger ones and the ones who saw both sides of the coin who supported the team before we were successful. But I’m very happy so many younger fans admire how I play as this means such a lot to me.”

On to VAR....

There’s rarely a game that passes without some controversy or other and towards the end of last month, Ederson was caught in the middle of another heated debate as he was blocked off by two Arsenal players as Gabriel headed home from a corner.

To the average football fan – it looked like a clear foul and City fans will remember a similar moment last season when Liverpool’s Alisson Becker found himself under the challenge of City players that resulted in an almost carbon copy goal… until VAR stepped in.

So, for a keeper, how frustrating is it that the rules seem to change and there is inconsistency in what is a foul and what isn’t?

“Yeah,” he smiled. “We have meetings with the Premier League at the start of each season and they explain if there are changes or whatever, but the fact is I just have to prepare myself and keep improving to face these challenges and get better.

“The rules might be one thing but then something else happens, but we just have to do our best in every situation.”

Pep has said many times he feels Ederson is integral to his City team.

Because of our fluid style and ability to build from deep or play it wide or long, there are few better at delivering the right pass than Ederson.

Few disagree of just how important he is to everything his team does.

“It’s nice to have this kind of recognition,” smiles Ederson.

“I’m just a calm and humble guy, and when I’m home I just focus on my family and my kids – I don’t even watch football at home – so while it’s quite interesting and nice if people think that way about me, off the pitch I just try and lead a normal life.”

Before he continues with his player appearance duties, we return to the man who started him out on his journey – Sao Paolo legend Rogerio Cena.

Ederson was very briefly with Sao Paolo in 2008/09 aged only 15.

He wanted to emulate Cena and be more than just a goalkeeper that kept the ball out of the net - so did their paths cross at this embryonic point of his career?

“When I was at Sao Paolo, we had two separate training grounds – one for the youngsters and one for the senior professionals, so I wasn’t able to see him,” he revealed.

“But with the national team, I was able to meet him and talk with him and I was that young kid meeting his idol!

“Since then, we have met and kept in touch with each other and have a good relationship. I wanted to be Cena and he said a really nice thing – he said, ‘Rogerio is the best goalkeeper in Brazil, but that I was the best goalkeeper in the world because I play for the national team and because of my success at City.

“He added that I had taken his goalkeeping style to the rest of the world and therefore validated the way that he had played for so many years.”

In that case, Rogerio Cena has much to be proud of.

Interview: David Clayton

Our feature on hard-working Blues who largely went under the radar beyond loyal City fans is back...

This time, we look at a defender who got just as much love from the fans as he gave.

Few players have ever shown more passion for the City shirt than Mike Doyle. For that matter, few could ever more aptly be described as solid too.

Born in Ashton-under-Lyne and raised a City fan, Doyle was a hero to the fans not only for his fierce protection of Joe Corrigan’s goal but also his unerring loyalty to the club.

When you paired that devotion with Doyle’s physicality, it made for an imposing obstacle for any striker daring to carry the ball within shooting distance of our posts.

Born in the baby boom period after World War Two, Doyle was already a steely and determined figure by the time he joined City as an apprentice in 1962.

He soon made an impression at Maine Road, once asking Bert Trautmann if his back was OK after conceding eight goals and having to bend down and collect the ball out of the net against Wolves!

Trautmann wasn’t impressed and, after a stern exchange, Doyle ended up washing the goalkeeper’s car every week.

Joe Mercer was quick to spot his potential when he took over as manager and Doyle played 19 league games, scoring seven goals after playing several matches as an emergency striker.

As Mercer quietly built a team to be reckoned with, Doyle spent the next two campaigns enthusiastically filling in where necessary.

It was in 1967/68 that he became a key cog in the outstanding defence that saw us lift the First Division title.

Alongside Tony Book, George Heslop and Glyn Pardoe, Doyle was in a backline that conceded just 43 times despite City’s expansive style that was designed to get the best out of the likes of Colin Bell, Francis Lee and Mike Summerbee.

His place now firmly set, he remained in the City side for the next nine campaigns – playing almost every minute available to him.

As a half-back early on, including during the successes in the league title as well as the 1969 FA Cup and 1970 European Cup Winners’ Cup wins, Doyle gradually featured more and more as a centre-half.

Perhaps what most ingratiated him to the Maine Road faithful was his persistent jibes towards Manchester United, including a particularly cutting quote after our rivals suffered relegation in 1974.

“I was gutted when Manchester United were relegated as it was a guaranteed four points (it was two for a win back then) gone,” he said.

His form at club level was such that he was included in the provisional squad for the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, but when his wife Cheryl fell ill, he stayed by her bedside and informed England he wasn’t available for selection.

In the end, he only achieved five England caps but he did fulfil his ultimate dream of captaining his beloved City. His first year as skipper saw him lift the League Cup in February 1976 with a 2-1 win over Newcastle.

Doyle almost captained City to the title the following year, too, missing out by a single point to Liverpool, though a persistent knee injury meant it was also the beginning of the end of his City career.

He managed just 13 starts during the 1977/78 season before joining Stoke in June 1978. It was the end of his professional association with City, but his emotional connection to the Club never waivered.

In total, he played 570 times for City and scored 41 goals – with only Alan Oakes and Joe Corrigan ever representing the Club more.

He later had spells with Stoke, Bolton and Rochdale before retiring in 1984.

Though Mike passed away in 2011 aged 64, he often spoke with pride of his grandson Tommy - and how he dreamed Tommy would carry on the family name and one day play for City.

Doyle realised that ambition with seven senior appearances for the Club after captaining us to our third FA Youth Cup success in 2020.

Perhaps no one can sum up Doyle’s love of Manchester City better than the man himself, stating during his playing days that: “If I had to pack the game in tomorrow I would go straight out and buy a season ticket for City. And I would be there at the reserve, youth team and friendly games.

“I grew up in a town that only wanted to know Manchester United and I’ve been lucky enough to help change that.

“Let’s face it, I’m a City fanatic. I’m the guy on the terraces who has been given the chance to put down his rattle and step out for the team he loves.”

Feature: Jack Mumford

Learn more about City’s seven new summer signings ahead of our return to UEFA Champions League action and pursuit of the WSL title…

VIVIANNE MIEDEMA

City made a statement of intent early this summer by acquiring the services of the WSL’s all-time leading scorer, Vivianne Miedema.

Following seven incredible seasons at Arsenal, the Netherlands international made the switch to the Joie Stadium after collecting a swathe of team and individual accolades with the Gunners.  

In total, she now has 81 WSL goals to her name with 22 of those coming in 2018/19 where she helped her former employers to the title.

Miedema has also twice won the WSL Golden Boot, been included in the PFA Team of the Year on three separate occasions while also being named PFA Players’ Player of the Year in 2018/19.

Her phenomenal record also translates onto the international stage with the versatile forward also the highest scoring Dutch player of all-time.  

She’s currently scored 96 goals in 120 appearances for the Netherlands and helped her nation to European Championship glory in 2017.  

However, Miedema’s game isn’t just about goals as she was also the first player in WSL history to reach 100 goal involvements, something she achieved with 70 strikes and 30 assists.

And the Dutch international has enjoyed a dream start to life at City, scoring in each of her competitive appearances so far, including against Arsenal on the opening day of the new league season.

RISA SHIMIZU  

Japan international right-back Risa Shimizu became the Club’s second summer signing following two seasons at fellow WSL club West Ham.  

During her time with the Hammers, she helped them preserve their top-flight status across a successful spell in East London after previously making a name for herself at Japanese outfit Tokyo Verdy Beleza; a side where she formed a close friendship with City team-mate Yui Hasegawa.

She won a remarkable 14 major honours during her time in Japan, while also being named in the Nadeshiko League’s Best Eleven in four consecutive seasons between 2017 and 2020.

Shimizu also trained as a marathon runner during her early career with that tireless attitude seeing her close in on a century of caps for Japan, having already represented her nation at two separate World Cups and Olympic Games.

Unfortunately, she suffered a rupture of her anterior cruciate ligament during Japan’s Olympics opening fixture against Spain in July.

She returned to the City Football Academy for further assessment by the Club’s medical team and has since undergone a successful knee surgery. Risa will now continue her rehabilitation at the CFA.

AOBA FUJINO

Aoba Fujino arrived at the Club with a reputation as one of world football’s most promising young talents.

The 20-year-old forward enjoyed a prolific three years with Tokyo Verdy Beleza after progressing through their youth academy, and was named the Japanese top flight’s Most Valuable Player in 2021/22 and 2022/23.

She also earned a spot in the WE League Best XI in 2023, the same year she became Japan’s youngest-ever World Cup finals scorer, netting against Costa Rica in a 2-0 Group Stage win.

Her standout displays in Australia and New Zealand only added to the excitement around her, with a scintillating free-kick at this summer’s Olympics against Spain adding to that hype.

Capable of playing through the centre or out wide, Gareth Taylor has opted to use Fujino on the wing so far, with the Japan international putting in several standout displays.

With a frightening turn of pace, excellent movement and impressive technical quality, she’ll hope to now make her mark in England just as she has done in her home country.

EVE ANNETS

Despite still being just 18, goalkeeper Eve Annets already boasted senior experience against some of England’s best before joining City from Reading this summer.

Progressing through the Royals’ ranks, she made her senior debut for the club against Tottenham Hotspur in October 2023, before facing their North London rivals Arsenal three months later.

And England Under-19 international, Annets combines a dominant penalty box presence with excellent ability on the ball.

She’s also a penalty specialist, helping Reading win two separate shootouts last season.

At the end of August, it was announced that the young goalkeeper’s development would continue on loan at Portsmouth FC ahead of their first season in the Women’s Championship.

AYAKA YAMASHITA  

Japan’s first-choice stopper, Ayaka Yamashita arrives at the City Football Academy with an astonishing 17 medals so far across her career.

That includes six Japanese top flight titles and eight domestic trophies, not to mention a spot in seven of the league’s last nine Best XI’s.

When you see the 28-year-old in action though, those achievements start to make sense.

As well as possessing incredible reflexes and strong positioning, ‘Yama’ is another goalkeeper with outstanding ability on the ball.

She was instrumental in Japan not conceding a single goal en route to reaching the World Cup quarter-finals in 2023 and also starred at the 2024 Paris Olympics for her home nation, who she has over 70 caps for already.

The stopper also enjoyed a dream debut for City, saving two Leicester spot-kicks to earn us a penalty shootout win over our WSL opponents during our pre-season tour of Australia.

NAOMI LAYZELL

Bristol City might have suffered relegation from the WSL last season, but young defender Naomi Layzell was a particular bright spark for the Vixens in 2023/24.

Voted as the club’s Young Player and Players’ Player of the Season, the youngster had helped her side gain promotion to the top flight the year before as a teenager.

Still just 20, Layzell already has almost four seasons of senior experience under her belt so far, with a maturity and footballing intelligence far beyond her years.

While her ability on the ball allows her to spark attacks from deep and pick up play in dangerous positions, she also excels in the more traditional defensive areas, thriving on the physical battle that English football has to offer.

In recognition of those qualities, Layzell was called up to train with England’s senior side at their 2024 summer training camp.

She made her City debut in our UEFA Champions League second leg qualifier against Paris FC, playing the full 90 minutes at right-back in a 3-0 win.

KATIE STARTUP

A familiar face to City fans, Startup was our seventh and final summer recruit when she joined from fellow WSL side Brighton.

The goalkeeper had spent the final few weeks of the 2023/24 campaign on an emergency loan deal at the CFA, offering competition for places in the midst of an injury crisis between the sticks.

A hugely popular member of the squad, her efforts in training impressed Gareth Taylor enough for him to pursue a permanent move.

Having worked her way through the ranks at Gillingham and Chelsea, Startup’s senior career began in South London at Charlton Athletic, whom she helped gain promotion to the second tier in 2018.

The Addicks would finish third the following season, with the goalkeeper an ever-present between the sticks, before a move to the Seagulls followed in 2020.

Amid loan spells back at Charlton, Liverpool and at City, Startup made her WSL debut for Brighton and kept a clean sheet in a 2-0 win over West Ham United in March 2022.

She’ll provide competition between the sticks once again as we push for silverware on a domestic and European front this year.

Words: George Kelsey

Rewind some 14 years to a feature interview with the man who would become our captain and legend, Vincent Kompany…

Meet the rock at the centre of City’s defence – and discover his blueprint for success in our exclusive ManC interview....

If Vincent Kompany had his feet any firmer on the ground, it’s doubtful he’d be able to move. Fast approaching a century of appearances for City, he’s begun the 2010/11 season as one of the Premier League’s best defenders – perhaps Europe - and must be one of Roberto Mancini’s first names on the team-sheet.

Not that you’d guess it.

Kompany is old school and won’t start patting himself on the back until there is silverware in the trophy cabinet – he probably won’t even do it then because it’s not how he does things. He wants to constantly improve and evolve as a player and aged only 24, it’s a frightening prospect for the strikers who he’ll line up against in future weeks, months and years.

He’d be the first to admit he’s probably one of the more serious members of the City squad, but he has a quick, dry sense of humour and is generous to a fault. Professionalism is the key word for the lad from Brussels; that plus loyalty and focus – possess any two of those qualities and you won’t go far wrong with a player who refuses to take plaudits comfortably.

“I don’t take praise and accolades too seriously,” he smiled. “I take a step back from things like that because it’s irrelevant in many ways. One moment you can be regarded as the best and have nice things said about you, but if you achieve nothing in the long term it doesn’t actually mean anything. That’s how I look at it.

“If things are going well, it makes me want to work even harder so things remain at that level and then kick on again and improve. I want to maintain my standards but I’m always looking to get better all the time. I think that’s how I can help the team – by being hard and disciplined about my own performances.”

Perfectionists can be hard to live with, unable to lose the shackles of a misplaced pass or stop thinking about something they didn’t quite get right and Kompany admits he was no different, though he is changing in this respect.

“It used to be my weak point,” he revealed. “I was too much of a perfectionist and it was probably doing more harm than good. It wasn’t until I played under a manager who explained to me that it was OK to make a mistake and not be perfect. To stay focused on your game no matter what happens is more important and learning that has helped me become a better player.

“I still do the best I can but if I do make a mistake, I won’t let it affect my game and that has enabled me to progress because if I do something wrong, I’m able to put it out of my head and carry on. I’ve taken bits of advice from managers and coaches at Anderlecht, Hamburg and City but I’m still developing; still learning.

“I don’t think as a centre-half you always have to be the best player on the pitch every week – just the best man for your team and that’s all I try to do and nothing more. If people think I’ve had a good game, then great, but I’ll only be really happy if I know I did a good job for the team.”

Such is the esteem Kompany is held in as a defensive lynchpin, it’s easy to forget that he was signed initially as a defensive midfielder, with a view to seeing how things developed over a period of time. There was no grand design as such, but the ability to play at the back was always known and pondered upon under Mark Hughes’ reign.

“When I first came to the club I was told that I’d start in midfield and then see how things went,” he said. “Then, if I was needed to fill in at the back, I would, but I might just as easily move back to midfield after that so there were no hard or fast rules.

“I was fine with that because in football nowadays, it’s a good attribute to be able to play in central midfield or defence and I was happy to keep that going. I knew we’d have a great team this season and the main thing for me was to get into the side, because anyone who starts complaining about the position they play in has, in my book, got it completely wrong.

“I’ve had time to play at the back and had time to learn, but I’m happy to play wherever I’m asked because I don’t think my performances are down to my position, just that I’ve been willing to learn and develop as a player and the team will always come first for me.”

With three different partners at the back already this season, it’s interesting to see that City have remained defensively sound whichever duo are paired in the middle. Of course, the one constant (apart from the Carling Cup defeat at West Brom), has been Kompany. The Kolo Toure partnership had seen just three goals conceded in 10 games by mid-October, but Joleon Lescott and Dedryck Boyata have played, too.

“I’ve had great understandings with all three of them and whatever happens I always make the effort to make sure the guy who is alongside me feels comfortable playing next to me,” he said. “That’s important and all three defenders are very clever and have experience. We’ve trained with each other for a long time so I’m not sure that if I wasn’t among the pairing that the understanding would be any different because we know each other so well.

“We are all focused and we know have to play to the best of our ability to keep our places.”

Talk of Dedryck Boyata brings forth a number of interest similarities between the Academy graduate and Kompany. Both were born in Brussels, both have Congolese parents and both could, quite possibly, be a future defensive pairing at both club and international level.

Boyata’s admiration of Kompany is clear and he has stated numerous times he feels privileged to be able to learn from a man regarded as a huge star back in Belgium.

“For me, Dedryck has been the surprise of the season for us,” he said. “We already knew from the back end of last season that he is a very valuable asset for the team and he’d played in some big games, so everyone knew we could trust him –and gaining trust from your team-mates at such an early age is not such an easy thing to achieve – but he has within a short space of time.

“We all thought that with the new investment and players coming in that it would be difficult for young players to break through, but yet again, not far into the season, Dedryck has been very useful to the team.

“I’m very pleased with his development because being a talent, for me, means very little. What means a lot to me is being willing to progress by listening to advice and criticism – and Dedryck has these qualities and has improved again this season and if he keeps going in the direction he is, you know he’ll be able to stand his ground in a very good team.”

Talking like a big brother, Kompany’s wisdom often means he’s thought of as older than his 24 years. He smiles at the mention of age.

“I’ve been around in football for a long time,” he said. “I’ve been through quite a bit, mainly due to injuries and I’ve climbed up high again, so it would take a lot for me to experience something new in the game. I don’t consider myself a young player by any stretch of the imagination.

“I would never want to use my age as an excuse for making a mistake, for instance – I don’t want any of that. I’ve got enough experience to perform week in, week out at this level and I know what is expected of me.”

Kompany was, of course, signed by Mark Hughes in the summer of 2008 and he admits there is a wave of uncertainty that ripples through the squad when a new manager comes in – and it was no different when Hughes was sacked and Roberto Mancini took over.

“It was difficult because when a trainer brings you into a club, you obviously feel that they really wanted you to play in their team,” he said. “That’s always a good feeling as a player and I think he’s definitely a good manager, but whatever thoughts you may have at the time, it was important to move forward.

“The club is bigger than any individual and that’s something we all understand that, so when the new manager came in, it was up to us to be receptive to his ideas and now I think we are seeing the results of the change. For me, one good manager has been replaced by another good manager and so far I’ve been lucky enough to learn from both of them.”

One thing that is particularly important to Kompany is respect and honesty. If he puts the effort in on the pitch he expects his club to be equally willing to go that extra mile. It’s pettiness he can’t abide and, in many ways, it was such an instance of bloody-mindedness that led to his departure from Hamburg.

After initially denying Kompany the chance to play in the 2008 Olympic Games because it wasn’t a FIFA recognised tournament, Hamburg relented on the premise he only play in Belgium’s opening two group games. But after being shown a red card in the opening match, he decided he wanted to stay and help his country to the next stage of the tournament. Hamburg dug their heels in and demanded his release and Belgium eventually conceded defeat. The damage caused between player and club, was, however, irreparable and a furious Kompany returned to Germany feeling he’d been let down when he needed a little leeway.

“It was a reality check for me,” he said. “It’s often talked about players being loyal to their club but it goes both ways and I’ve experienced being let down in this respect first hand. To be allowed to play for your national team at the Olympics for silly reasons and being treated like an object rather than a human being is unforgiveable.

“I’d been at Anderlecht for 14 years before I moved to Hamburg and as I say, what happened was a reality check for me. I left the club on good terms with the fans, players and the manager – it was just the men above I had a problem with.

“Here at City, I feel so much respect for the fans and I think they have respect for me and that’s what I want to keep going.”

Though Kompany’s international career had a minor blip towards the end of last year following a family bereavement, the Belgian coach Dick Advocaat accepted there were valid reasons for the player returning late to the squad prior to a friendly with Qatar and after being left out of a couple of squads, he resumed his place in the team from February of this year onwards.

One ambition is to represent his nation in a major championship, though the Belgians have made a so-so start to the Euro 12 qualifiers, taking five points from a possible 12.

“Our group is tough with Germany, Turkey and Austria in there but we are getting better all the time,” he said. “Our team is very young and sometimes there are moments when the lack of experience has cost us a goal. It’s not a lack of quality that’s holding us back, just more time together as a unit and I’m sure we’ll feature in a major tournament sooner rather than later.”

Kompany scoffs at the mention of him being some kind of superstar back in his homeland, but he is, at the very least, revered and highly respected back in Belgium and doesn’t deny he was once the country’s golden boy, winning the first of his 35 caps (to date) aged 17.

“I never feel like a superstar,” he laughed. “It’s just different back home, I suppose. When I played in Belgium, I was a completely different player – I was actually recognised for my skills, creativity and technical skills as a centre-back. I was a 17-year-old playing like someone who was ten years older and I impressed people in that way. Here, I’m seen as a strong, consistent no-nonsense defender so there are different perceptions of me in Belgium and in England.

“Back home they think of me as a skilful player and maybe they hark back to the old days on occasion, but superstar? That’s a big, big tag to wear and I’m not sure it quite fits.”

Would he like to beat Jan Culemans national record of 96 caps? He’d probably already be well on the way but for two years’ worth of injuries over the past seven seasons...

“That’s not important because I’m not a fan of individual records,” he said. “What’s the point of having 90 or a 100 caps if you’ve never played at a major tournament? I’d rather give up 20 caps and play two or three big tournaments before the end of my career and I’d be happy with that.”

He admits it would be nice for his family if he did win a record cap haul for his country, but talk of fatherhood reveals another aspect to his life that has mellowed somewhat – taking work home.

“Sienna’s birth has changed my life in so many ways for the better,” he smiled. “Whereas before I was a dad, I’d go home and still have my job on my mind, now it’s all about my family and that’s a really good thing for me. It helps me switch off and it’s been the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

“I also think about the future a lot more and I believe that life starts after football. I have absolutely no fear about hanging my boots up because I have loads of things lined up that I can’t get on with because all my time is taken up with football. It might be an unusual view, but it’s perfectly normal for me.

“I enjoy being involved with the SOS Children’s Villages, an international charity for which I am an ambassador of several projects in the Congo. I feel I have a very strong connection with my dad’s country and I’m obviously proud of being Belgian but Congo is part of my life too. The struggles there are immense and every time I go there I feel I can’t leave without leaving something behind.

“I also have my own foundation, VICA, where we try to help children because just a small thing can make a huge difference to someone’s life. If I can give up time that will help make a difference, then I have to do it.”

It’s hard not to like someone like Vincent Kompany. This writer has followed City since I was a nipper and he’s the kind of player I want playing for my club. He’s the sort all supporters want playing for their club, but right now he’s a Blue and proud to be part of a club whose ambition knows no boundaries. He’s an adopted Mancunian but he freely admits he could live anywhere after his career ends.

“I always say my country is the world, so for me to say where I’m going to live in my country in ten years, I don’t know,” he said. “I’ve travelled that much that I think it’s silly to attach yourself to boundaries. I’ll go wherever I feel comfortable at that time but I’m having a great time in England and Manchester in particular.

“We always focus on how hard it is to study at school and college and, of course, it is. But I’ve learned more from the travels in my life and I’ve become who I am because I’ve seen so many different cultures and people.”

Returning to football, how far can he go with City? Is he surprised by the solid start the team has made this season?

“Very surprised,” he said. “Look at the best teams in the world – they have all been playing for many years together and that’s what makes them strong – understanding. It takes time to understand each other’s game, yet we’ve started well.

“Our focus should always be our next game only and no further. We should never allow ourselves to relax and look at every day at work as a chance to improve yourself. I look at the players we have here and I think we have a bright future ahead of us. The fact that we are maybe not such a popular club with the press only accelerates the process. I know that ourselves and Tottenham have made this league more competitive and is that such a bad thing? Of course it isn’t.”

Interview: David Clayton