Vincent Kompany exclusive: My mindset is stronger than anybody out there
Thursday 30 November 2017 22:28, UK
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News, Vincent Kompany says his mindset is 'stronger than anybody out there'.
The Manchester City captain has started the last three Premier League games after struggling with a calf injury throughout September and October, helping Guardiola's side continue their unbeaten start to the season.
They are top of the Premier League by eight points after just 14 games, but the 31-year-old says records mean nothing until silverware is won.
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Here, in a candid interview with SSN, the Belgian talks through what has changed at the Etihad, and why he is up there with the best in terms of mentality...
On his fitness and mindset...
"I always say this, I'm not promising anything when it comes to health, nobody can, not even you. But I am promising one thing: that my mindset is stronger than anybody out there. I know what to do when I am fit and when I am called upon, so that's what I want to give to the club and the fans.
"Of course it's frustrating [being out], but I've learned one thing: you can always improve. The amount of times I have been able to visualise games, imagine myself in positions, without necessarily being out on the pitch, imagining passes and certain defensive moves against certain strikers, I've realised that it is absolutely possible to improve without even being among the lads and training with them."
On going unbeaten all season...
"I believe that in every game we play we have a chance to win. After that, I have my past experience, I've been able to be part of a team that was unbeaten until the end of December, that was good going, and that was difficult.
"The best thing is to not think about it. Maybe in the last three or four games if we get near, I will happy to talk about it, but right now it doesn't make any sense. It doesn't make any sense to talk about winning the league yet, it's just about winning the next game.
"And no [records don't mean anything]. All these records are a diversion of what the ultimate goal is, we need to win silverware, that's it. Of course we want to prove we are able to take anyone on, but if you ask me it's irrelevant, it's all about silverware, and that's not before May, so at the moment, just win the next game."
On Guardiola's impact...
"He's a great teacher, I think that's the right word to use. I've been in football for a long time now, and I've got to be honest, it has made me realise how important it is for managers to be actual teachers, no matter what level the footballer is at.
"Sometimes it is taken for granted that top professionals know everything they need to do, but in reality it is quite the opposite. When you break it down, go back to basics, and explain all of these things to these great players, it gives them another level. And that's what has happened here I think. Being super cautious, I see progression in the team, but until we've won silverware I don't care what it is, it's not enough."
On what has changed at City...
"I don't think we show as many weaknesses as last season. At the same time I think we have understood what he wants a little bit better, which is normal, it's just the process of being together longer. Then I would also say we have kind of learned from the fact that nothing has happened yet, so we have to be careful.
"We are not getting carried away, I think a lot of people around us are getting carried away, but if you go in the dressing room it's calm and focused. We all felt what it's like not to win anything, and we don't want that to happen again."
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