Manuel Pellegrini denies rift with Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany

Manuel Pellegrini has insisted he has no problem with Vincent Kompany

MANUEL PELLEGRINI insists he has “no problem” with Vincent Kompany – but has left him sweating on a recall for Sunday’s Manchester derby.

 

Kompany was surprisingly named on the bench for City’s games for the games against Bournemouth and Seville despite playing 58 minutes for Belgium during the international break to prove he was over the calf injury that kept him out of the previous five club games.

Pellegrini was annoyed that Belgium ignored his advice not to play Kompany during the international break because he wanted him to have a full week of intensive training before playing him in a bid to avoid a recurrence of an injury that has troubled him on a regular basis over the years.

But even though he has now had a full week of training at City's Etihad training complex, Pellegrini raised doubts whether he will be back for Sunday's clash between the first and third clubs in the Premier League.

 

Pellegrini was angered by Kompany's decision to play for Belgium

He said however the club v country row has not affected his relationship with Kompany and also denied he had stopped Yaya Toure from handing over the captain’s armband to the Belgian when he came on as a substitute for the final minutes of the midweek game against Seville.

He said: “I don’t have any problem with Vincent Kompany. Every week I have to choose the starting Xi that I think is best for that game. And the other players [not selected] must wait. It is exactly the same for all the other players.

“I’m not punishing Vincent and I don’t have any problem with our relationship. When you have been out for five weeks without playing and without training you may be fit but you are not ready to play important games. So it was important for him to work some days before he can play again."

 

Pellegrini's decision to send Kompany on for the final few minutes in midweek was interpreted as a slap in the face for such an experienced campaigner.

But the City boss added: “It was because we had just scored ot make it 2-1and they were going to make a lot of crosses into the box to link with their front players and I thought it important for Vincent to be there. As for the armband, Yaya took off the armband because he thought he was coming off and I was telling him he wasn't."

Asked if City are better with Kompany in the team, especially for a Manchester derby, he said: “For me the most important thing is to play with the players I think are best for the job. I am happy  with the performances of both Nicolas Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala. Both players are in a good moment. But I always say we are better with Vincent in the team than without him.”

City are still without two other key players Sergio Aguero and David Silva. Also still out are Samir Nsari, Fabian Delph and Gael Clichy.