Back in 2003, Vincent Kompany was on the wanted list of many of Europe's big clubs.
As a central defender with pace and composure, Chelsea, Manchester United, Lyon and Inter Milan were among his suitors.
He was 17 and starring for Anderlecht in the Belgian league, but Kompany did not have his head turned by the big time or riches like many of today's young prodigies,.
He claimed he would be "playing Russian roulette" with his career if he left, saying that he was not mature enough to be playing two big games a week. Refreshing honesty from someone so young and, when the time came to move on, he chose the lower-profile Hamburg and the Bundesliga.
Injuries halted his expected progression, but after impressing in the Emirates Cup tournament in August, Manchester City moved quickly to sign him, a deal that went almost unnoticed in Real Madrid's pursuit of his teammate Rafael van der Vaart.
Those at Hamburg say Kompany was as crucial as the classy Dutchman and City are finding that out now as he provides a solid base as a defensive midfielder rather than the heart of defence where he still plays for the Belgian national team.
As he prepares for a return to Germany for tonight's Uefa Cup test against Schalke, the City manager, Mark Hughes, will continue to use him there - at least until he can strengthen in the January transfer window and now that Gelson Fernandes is out for three weeks with a hamstring injury.
"Vincent himself enjoys midfield and that's where he is for us because it is a position where we are a bit light. That's where he will stay for the foreseeable future. People may forget how young he is in years and experience, but he has played a good deal at the top level throughout Europe, and he has a few big games under his belt. Playing in the Premier League will help him develop as a player."
Kompany is a key link to City striking the right balance as they have been a major attacking threat, but look vulnerable in defence.
With nine-goal Robinho ruled out tonight - along with Elano and Pablo Zabaleta - with an ankle injury, it is even more crucial the backline remains steady.
They got it right in the 3-0 win over Arsenal and the captain, Richard Dunne, is hoping they can follow it up against Schalke, where a win will take City through to the next phase - something Hughes feels is important for "a club of this stature".
Dunne added: "Getting the balance right is difficult, but the way Stephen Ireland and Robinho have been playing has been brilliant.
"It must be a joy to watch for the fans, but for a defender the joy is in keeping clean sheets. Unfortunately there have been individual errors and collective mistakes."
Tottenham pair Roman Pavlyuchenko and Vedran Corluka are cup-tied for their clash against NEC Nijmegen in Holland but Jermaine Jenas should be fit.
@Email:akhan@thenational.ae
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
ZAYED SUSTAINABILITY PRIZE
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
'Manmarziyaan' (Colour Yellow Productions, Phantom Films)
Director: Anurag Kashyap
Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal
Rating: 3.5/5
RACE CARD
6.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh82.500 (Dirt) 1,400m
7.05pm Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m
7.40pm Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (Turf) 2,410m
8.15pm Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,900m
8.50pm UAE 2000 Guineas Trial (TB) Conditions Dh183,650 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm Dubai Trophy (TB) Conditions Dh183,650 (T) 1,200m
10pm Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (T) 1,400m
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
Marathon results
Men:
1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13
2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50
3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25
4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46
5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48
Women:
1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30
2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01
3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30
4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43
5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
'Gehraiyaan'
Director:Shakun Batra
Stars:Deepika Padukone, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Panday, Dhairya Karwa
Rating: 4/5
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
