Manchester City became the first English team to win the domestic quadruple last season.
However, there was a bitter-sweet feeling at the end as club captain Vincent Kompany announced his departure after a clean sweep campaign with the Premier League giants.
With the captain’s armband there for the taking, the Sky Blues boss Pep Guardiola has highlighted that the players will be the ones who will choose the successor to the Belgian international.
Let’s look at the three players who can fill in for the veteran as the Manchester-based outfit look to 3peat the Premier League success.
David Silva
During Guardiola’s reign at Etihad, the Spaniard was second in line to Kompany and is currently leading the charge on the Sky Blues’ pre-season tour in China.
He is one of the two players left at the club, alongside Sergio Aguero, who lifted the Premier League title back in the 2011/12 season.
Silva, who has a year left on his contract, has announced his departure from City at the end of 2019/20 season.
The 33-year-old looks highly likely to captain the defending Premier League Champions in his ultimate year at the club.
Even though a short-term solution, it would be a good send-off to a club legend.
This would also allow ample time to other players in Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva etc. to prove their worth to handle such a responsibility in the future.
Fernandinho
Another veteran at the club who has less than 12 months left on his contract, Fernandinho is more than capable of leading the City charge come August.
The 34-year-old was third in line under Pep’s tenure until last season and often served as the team captain in the absence of Kompany and Silva.
The Brazilian would be another temporary solution, seeing it’s highly unlikely he will receive a contract extension at his age.
Rodri’s arrival from Atletico Madrid could also see him receive less time in City’s starting XI as compared to previous seasons.
Even with curtains slowly and steadily going down on the veteran’s time at Etihad, the right-footed midfielder boasts a deserved claim to the captain’s armband.
Kevin De Bruyne
An exciting choice in De Bruyne, the 28-year-old could fill in the void left by his compatriot for the captain’s spot next term.
With Silva and Fernandinho ageing which will lead to less playing time, if the Belgian can keep himself injury-free one can always see him wearing the captain’s armband especially seeing his status among the fans and everyone associated with the club.
The right-footed midfielder also expressed his desire to take on the role if he was offered the chance which speaks volumes about his mentality and attitude that sounds like it’s in the right place for now.
