Former English footballer, Jamie Redknapp, has said that Manchester City no longer need defenders, Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi in their squad.
According to Redknapp, City’s win over Manchester United on Sunday proves they no longer need the services of defenders Kompany and Otamendi.
He noted that City’s back four is strong enough despite Kompany’s vast experience.
City defeated Manchester 3-1 at the Etihad on Sunday to climb back above Liverpool to the summit of the Premier League.
Kompany, who is City’s captain, was always one of the first names in the starting XI when he wasn’t injured.
But Redknapp said times have changed and suggests that John Stones and Aymeric Laporte represent the future for City’s defence.
“Look at the players he is keeping out of this Manchester City team,” Redknapp told Daily Mail.
“Sitting on the bench on Sunday was Vincent Kompany, a player I would name alongside John Terry and Rio Ferdinand as the greatest centre back the Premier League has seen.
“There was not even room in the matchday squad for Nicolas Otmendi, a defender who was in brilliant form when City romped to the Premier League title last season.
“Guardiola has struck upon a dream defensive partnership with Stones and Laporte.
“They are both quick, brave, strong and — the penalty aside — prevented United from having a single shot on target.
“Suddenly, the prospect of life without Kompany does not look so bad.
“The scary thing for the rest of the Premier League is that these two are just 24 years old.
“They could be City’s centre-back pairing for the best part of the next decade.”
Redknapp has been impressed with the way Stones has grown at City, adding: “Stones is now looking like a world class player.
“He is the Rolls-Royce I knew he could be when he first broke into the Everton team.
“It used to rankle when Stones was criticised for dwelling too long in possession, for trying to play out from the back rather than clear the danger.
“He is now working with a manager in Pep Guardiola who encourages those traits and can bring out the best in his game.
“In the last two and a half seasons, Stones’ confidence has soared
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